JuJu Watkins made her long-awaited return from an ACL injury that sidelined her for the entire 2025-26 season, scoring 21 points as USC defeated UNLV 100-68 in the Hall of Fame Series.
Impressive Return for USC Star
Watkins, who last appeared during the second round of the 2024-25 NCAA tournament, performed strongly in her comeback game. The only minor blemish in her 25 minutes on the court was a 0-of-5 performance from beyond the arc, marking a largely impressive return for the USC superstar.
National Championship Aspirations
With a healthy Watkins back on the roster, USC holds serious national championship goals. The Trojans began the season ranked as the No. 3 team in the country and demonstrated that status by easily dismissing UNLV, building a 14-point advantage by the conclusion of the first quarter and maintaining a comfortable margin throughout.
USC previously watched its crosstown rivals, UCLA, capture its first women’s national title during the 2025-26 season. While the Trojans have secured two championships in their history, both came during the early 1980s, a championship drought that the return of Watkins now threatens to end.
