Overview
- Watkins, participating at USA Basketball’s camp in Phoenix on Friday, took part in shooting drills as a limited participant.
- She said she is a couple more months from full practice and expects to be ready for the 2026–27 college season.
- Team USA managing director Sue Bird said Watkins looks great and noted the final stretch of recovery can feel the hardest for players.
- Watkins tore the ACL in her right knee on March 24, 2025 during the NCAA tournament and missed the 2025–26 season after winning the 2024–25 AP Player of the Year award.
- USC went 18–14 without her, earned a No. 9 NCAA seed, lost to South Carolina in the second round, and brought in the top-ranked recruiting class led by Saniyah Hall.