USC Women’s Basketball Looks to Create a Superteam

It feels a bit like a fantasy draft gone wrong.

Imagine pairing the top players in the nation with the best returning freshmen and the most promising high school recruits. Who could possibly stand in their way?

This is the scenario that University of Southern California women’s basketball coach Lindsay Gottlieb envisioned for her team as they head into summer training.

Just a month after their rivals at UCLA clinched the national championship, the Trojans are gearing up to form their own star-studded squad featuring JuJu Watkins, Jazzy Davidson, and Saniyah Hall.

“This team is incredibly rich in terms of unique individual talents,” Gottlieb shared in an interview. “But that doesn’t automatically translate into points. We need to play cohesively on the court. We can only be a superteam if we work well together, and that’s our goal.”

Watkins, a once-in-a-generation player, is nearing full recovery from a serious knee injury that sidelined her last season. Davidson aims to build on a successful rookie year where he topped team scoring, and Hall, a top recruit, has the potential to be another significant contributor.

Gottlieb, recognizing the need for improvement, is looking to complement what might be the best trio in the country by adding two players through the transfer portal and possibly more.

“I knew we couldn’t just sit back and assume we were set,” Gottlieb noted. Her team had previously lost to South Carolina in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. “But our improvement has to be different from that of a team rebuilding or searching for a standout scorer.”

The Trojans focused on enhancing their post play by bringing in Pania Davis, a tall center from Florida State known for her size and agility. She might join forces with five-star freshman Sara Okeke from Spain, who carries that star potential.

Returning forward Laura Williams, a part-time starter last season, will also play a role alongside Sitaya Fagan, who impressed during team training after enrolling in January.

“You can’t compete at the top level with just one player of her caliber,” Gottlieb stated.

Help is also needed in the backcourt. Coach Gottlieb mentioned that the team might frequently employ four-guard lineups to utilize their size advantage. They recruited Ryan Bennett, a combo guard from UC Davis, who, along with Watkins, Davidson, Hall, and Kennedy Smith, could serve as key assets for scoring and distribution.

Hall’s addition is just the latest success in recruiting for Gottlieb, who consistently attracts top high school talent. What’s her secret?

“Honestly, I don’t always go after the so-called number one kid in rankings,” she explained. “We seek out players who excel and also fit our philosophy.”

When she first noticed Hall, the 6-foot-2 guard was rated only as the 12th best in her class. But Gottlieb recognized her potential, noting her toughness and ability to score and facilitate.

“I emailed my staff, saying, ‘I’ve never felt this strongly about a young player since JuJu,'” Gottlieb recalled, highlighting Hall’s journey from being ranked lower to becoming the top player.

Watkins is expected to start participating in summer practices from June 15, impressing everyone with her commitment to recovery.

“She’s understood her healing process. Now, she’s not just rehabilitating; she’s growing as a player, which is thrilling, considering how great she was before,” Gottlieb remarked. “She’s eager to return to play and what this upcoming year holds for both her and her teammates.”

Some might question how so many standout players can coexist. Perhaps a better question is, how can they be stopped?

“All of these players have been the focal point for opposing defenses throughout their careers. So, if you’re focused on Jazzy, what does that open up for JuJu?” Gottlieb explained. “And JuJu naturally draws attention, allowing other players opportunities.”

“All three are quite versatile players. I believe that with more space on the court, we can take smarter shots and play in an exciting manner that leads to victories. It’s exhilarating to have such talent on the floor, but it doesn’t end there.”

If everything aligns, we could see confetti falling inside Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, during the 2027 Final Four.