USC Star JuJu Watkins Completes Recovery from ACL Injury

USC star JuJu Watkins has finally completed her lengthy road to recovery from an ACL injury and is set to return to action for the Trojans.

Watkins' absence was deeply felt last season as USC struggled without its top player, finishing with an underwhelming record.

The 2026-27 season is a new chapter for the team, with high expectations as they enter the campaign as the No.3-ranked team in the country and are expected to contend for a national championship.

Watkins' return has significantly boosted the Trojans' chances of achieving this goal, given her status as arguably the best player in college basketball when healthy.

Watkins' ACL tear occurred during a pivotal moment in the NCAA Tournament, as she was going for a layup against Mississippi State when she collided with multiple defenders.

The impact was immediate and severe, causing Watkins to crumple to the ground and clutch her right knee in pain. She required assistance off the court as she struggled to put weight on her injured leg.

This devastating injury forced Watkins to undergo surgery just weeks later, effectively ruling out any possibility of returning for the remainder of the 2025 season.

The lengthy recovery period has now spanned nearly two years, with Watkins set to take the floor again when USC opens its new campaign.

As Watkins continued her rehabilitation journey, she had to adopt a more deliberate approach than usual. She revealed that her rehab process involved slowing down and revisiting the fundamental skills of basketball, which she hadn't done since learning them initially.

This meant spending time in the weight room before progressing to stationary movements like catching and shooting hoops. According to Watkins, this gradual progression was essential for her recovery, despite feeling the urge to rush back onto the court sooner.

The lengthy rehabilitation period allowed Watkins to appreciate the journey and its challenges. She described it as a humbling experience that taught her patience and made her stronger in the long run.

JuJu Watkins' recovery from an ACL injury has been a long and challenging process for the USC star.

She suffered the injury on March 24, 2025, during a game against Mississippi State in the NCAA tournament, where she played just five minutes before leaving due to her injury. Her performance was impressive despite the short time she spent on the court, as she managed to collect three points before exiting the game. This setback came after an impressive run of durability for Watkins, who had played 37 games across her first two collegiate seasons.

The impact of her absence was felt by USC, which struggled to a 18-14 record and lost in the second round of the NCAA tournament as a No. 9 seed. Despite these challenges, Watkins' experience has likely made her stronger and more patient, a sentiment she's shared about her recovery process.