JuJu Watkins Returns to USC Practice After ACL Recovery

Her return to full-team drills gives USC a major on-court lift while the program keeps her official clearance timeline private.

Overview

Watkins said she has been participating in practices and scrimmages and is “feeling back like myself,” a development reported Monday during USC’s summer camp.
Coach Lindsay Gottlieb described Watkins as stronger and faster and called seeing her back on the court “a beautiful thing,” reflecting visible progress in her conditioning.
USC and Watkins declined to provide a firm medical clearance date at the public session, and reporters were asked not to press for specific timeline details.
Watkins missed the 2025–26 season after tearing an ACL in March 2025, a gap that allowed freshman Jazzy Davidson to emerge as a primary scorer and reshaped the Trojans’ roster dynamics.
An ACL recovery often takes 8–12 months or longer, and Watkins’ more than 14-month return — supported by peers such as Paige Bueckers — could change USC’s title outlook and will be watched closely as the team prepares for its Nov. 2 season opener in Las Vegas.