March 21, 2026, 6:05 a.m. ET
COLUMBIA, S.C. — There’s multiple solution to make an affect, as JuJu Watkins has discovered in a distinct position for the USC women’s basketball team this season.
“Whether it’s holding lip balm on the bench or just being there with the water. I’ve been trying to help them as much as I can and prepare to get back next year,” Watkins mentioned.
Last yr, Watkins and the No. 1 Trojans had hopes of a Final Four look, perhaps even a nationwide championship, however these goals have been minimize quick. On Feb. 24, in the second spherical of the NCAA Women’s Tournament, Watkins tore the ACL in her proper knee towards Mississippi State.
She’s been on the sidelines ever since, electing to take redshirt season quite than rush again. With an enormous scoring presence gone, the Trojans have been pressured to shift their focus to fill that hole.
Enter freshman ahead Jazzy Davidson. She’s main in each class for the group, averaging 17.6 factors per recreation.
Davidson, although, has somebody main her – Watkins.
“She’s helped me a lot with challenges on the court, but also off the court, the mental aspect of being a freshman and being in the position that I’m in and that she was in, she’s been awesome to have,” Davidson mentioned.
Davidson earned the Big Ten Freshman of the Year award. Watkins was Pac-12 Freshman of the Year in 2024.
Davidson scored a career-high 32 factors in late February towards Ohio State, changing into the primary Trojan to attain 30 or extra factors in a recreation since Watkins in 2024.
Such similarities have been the glue to the shut bond between the 2. One of their favourite methods to chill out is to exit to eat at Din Tai Fung, the place they will unwind and revel in one another’s presence.
“I can’t wait to play with her, and she’s taking everything head on, and I can’t wait to see what she has in March,” Watkins mentioned.
No. 9 seed USC will face No. 8 Clemson in a first-round recreation Saturday (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2).
Watkins is aware of that the stakes are excessive for the matchup towards Clemson, however she has religion in Davidson. When Davidson blocks out all of the noise and locks in on the duty at hand, Watkins mentioned, she’s going to do no matter it takes to assist her group win.
Since her injury, Watkins has taken on a job just like an assistant coach for all her teammates, providing her enter when wanted and changing into the particular person anybody can flip to in the event that they want something. She is a gradual presence for the group, one thing that head coach Lindsay Gottlieb values.
Watkins additionally has given Gottlieb perspective as a coach. She recalled a second over the summer season when she mirrored on what final season may need been if Watkins hadn’t been injured. Watkins reframed the frustration.
“She just looked me straight in the eye and said, ‘Coach, it wasn’t our time. When it’s our time, it’ll be our time,’” Gottlieb mentioned.
Everything occurs in the fitting timing for the fitting causes. This March, it’s Davidson’s time to shine and present she has what it takes to hold a group by adversity.
With Watkins offering the lip balm – and a lot extra.
Alyssia Hamilton is a scholar in the University of Georgia’s Carmical Sports Media Institute.
