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By Megan Armstrong
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Women's college basketball lost one of its biggest stars when USC guard JuJu Watkins suffered a torn ACL during the NCAA Tournament on March 24, 2025.
Last September, Watkins announced her plan to sit out for the entire 2025-26 season to "fully focus on continuing to recover" on the advice of her doctors and trainers.
The USC Trojans' silver lining this season was freshman guard Jazzy Davidson, who won Big Ten Freshman of the Year and made women's NCAA Tournament history by posting 30/5/5 in USC's first-round win on March 21.
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While the Trojans lost to No. 1 South Carolina in the second round, Trojans fans can take solace in seeing Watkins working out at Team USA training camp this week in Phoenix, Arizona.
ESPN's Kareem Copeland and ClutchPoints' David Mendez-Yapkowitz posted videos of Watkins totally at ease while shooting on Friday:
Watkins told reporters she thinks she's "maybe a couple more months" away from participating fully in practice, but "I'll be ready for next season, so that's all that matters."
Watkins said she's felt welcomed at USA Basketball camp. "I'm just really having fun and enjoying time here," she said.
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In October 2024, Watkins signed a multi-year contract extension with Nike, including "one of the richest shoe endorsement deals in women's basketball" at the time, per ESPN's Shams Charania.
Before tearing her ACL, Watkins enjoyed an excellent sophomore season in 2024-25. She won Big Ten Player of the Year and AP women's college basketball Player of the Year. Watkins led USC with 23.9 points per game and 3.4 assists per game.
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