JuJu Watkins Returns to the Court

JuJu Watkins, a standout player in women’s college basketball, is back in action after spending last season recovering from a torn ACL. As a guard for Southern California, her previous two seasons with the USC Trojans showcased her scoring prowess, averaging 25.6 points per game. Now, she returns to a strong team aiming for their first national title since 1984.

“It’s on my mind every day,” Watkins expressed. She mentioned the anticipation building up for this season, adding, “I want it really badly, but also in a healthy way. I just want to have fun and really enjoy this year.”

Watkins also shared how she envisions the moment she scores her first basket again. “I’ve dreamed about it every night. I might shed a tear, honestly, I can’t lie,” she said. “That’ll be a really amazing feeling for me.”

In a recent exhibition match against California, she made a strong return, scoring 18 points in just 22 minutes of play, hinting at what her presence could mean for the Trojans.

Watkins will be joining forces with Jazzy Davidson, who was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year last season, averaging 17.9 points. It’s interesting to note that, even before playing together, the two developed a rapport during Watkins’ recovery, where she often encouraged Davidson from the sidelines.

“She saw me being hard on myself and I think she saw a little bit of her in me,” Davidson remarked. “Being able to build the friendship that we were able to build, it’s a huge blessing.”

USC’s roster is filled with talented players, including guard Saniyah Hall who shined in their exhibition with 23 points, six rebounds, and five steals, along with forward Sara Okeke, one of three five-star recruits joining the team this year. Coach Lindsay Gottlieb commented on their potential, noting, “They have proven that they’re going to be really impactful players at a high level.”

Last season, even while sidelined, Watkins contributed to her team’s dynamic by arranging chairs and setting up team talks during road games. “I was able to take on a leadership role for sure, and I can’t say I really owned that role prior to that,” she reflected. “Being able to do that and also see the game from a different perspective helped grow my IQ and leadership skills.”

The Trojans are set to open their season in Las Vegas against UNLV in the Hall of Fame Series on Monday.