With 5:50 left within the first quarter of No. 3 USC’s season opener, JuJu Watkins made her first basket since March of 2025. The Trojans’ megastar made her return to the courtroom within the staff’s 100-68 win over UNLV at T-Cellular Enviornment in Las Vegas.
“I believe she bodily seems nice,” stated USC Head Coach Lindsay Gottlieb.
“It's simply discovering that rhythm.”
There was a lot anticipation for today, not simply at USC, however within the girls’s basketball world at giant. Regardless of justifiably trying in contrast to herself within the first half, the rust appeared to shake off by the top of the third quarter. It included a blinding reverse layup followers are accustomed to seeing.
She completed with 21 factors and 5 rebounds in 25 minutes of labor. The informal observer wouldn’t have identified Watkins hadn’t seen true aggressive motion in 19 months because of an ACL damage.
“I imply clearly we're nonetheless we're nonetheless placing a restriction on on Juju's minutes simply within the wrap up,” Gottlieb defined. “She's solely gonna proceed to get higher, and he or she hasn't performed in a aggressive setting like this (since her damage).”
Coming into the sport, Watkins was the main storyline. As soon as the ball tipped off, it was apparent she doesn’t and won’t need to do all of it herself this season.
Reigning Large 10 Rookie Of The 12 months, Jazzy Davidson had 23 factors, 5 boards and 4 assists. America’s primary recruit, Saniyah Corridor, completed with 22 factors and seven rebounds in her Trojan debut.
“We’ve got quite a lot of gamers that may do nice issues with the ball of their arms,” stated Davidson.
“But additionally now we have a complete lot of unselfish gamers as effectively. And I believe everyone's keen to make that additional go to get the perfect shot.”
Whereas the sector wasn’t stuffed for a recreation in the course of the afternoon on a Monday, there have been loads of Juju’s largest supporters available. They got here not solely from the campus of USC, Los Angeles and Las Vegas, however from all around the nation.
“I like her,” stated Velen Castillo, who got here all the way in which from El Paso, Texas. “I've been following her since she was a freshman. She acquired damage, she sat out. However she's again. And right here I’m.”
Although, maybe probably the most ardent followers in the home had been the little women who got here to look at the return of their hero. There have been children within the crowd donning their buns atop their heads similar to Watkins.
“She's a superb inspiration for youths, and I've been study quite a bit from her and supply expertise she has,” 12 yr previous Chelsea Lynn stated.
The impression off the courtroom is obvious. Watkins is a generational expertise. On the courtroom, Monday afternoon’s win was only one recreation in a marathon. A race USC hopes ends in early April. Although she is the principle attraction, the LA native now has extra assist than ever to get her Trojans to glory.
“If we are able to keep dedicated to the method of getting higher at each ends of the ground, I believe, you recognize, good issues are forward,” Gottlieb stated.
Juju Watkins was not made out there to the media after the sport.