JuJu Watkins is back — and USC star showed no rust after 580-day layoff

It’s been 580 days since Juju Watkins was last on a basketball court, and it seems like she never missed a beat.

During an exhibition game between USC and California on Sunday afternoon at the Galen Center, Watkins put on an encouraging performance to show she’s ready to reclaim her status as the best women’s college basketball player.

Watkins saw 23 minutes of action against the Golden Bears and had 18 points, three rebounds, two assists, three steals, and two blocks.

From the field, she was six of 14 and was a perfect six-for-six from the free-throw line.

Just underneath the nine-minute mark of the first quarter, Watkins had everyone in the arena coming out of their seats when she blocked Taylor Barnes, who was attempting to make a layup.

Watkins, a Los Angeles native who played high school basketball at Sierra Canyon, was making her return to basketball after she had a career-altering torn ACL injury during the NCAA March Madness tournament in March 2025.

Watkins was in the middle of her sophomore season at USC when her injury happened..

The USC guard averaged 23.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists while shooting 42.6% from the field that season — earning her honors as the AP Player of the Year, John R. Wooden Award, and Naismith College Player of the Year.

In 2025, the ESPY’s crowned her as the best college athlete in the country.

As Watkins has been on her road to recovery, she told Ben Bolch of The California Post that her journey “has been a whirlwind of emotions.”

While Watkins played in an exhibition against California, the real thing begins on Monday, November 2. when the Trojans travel on the road to play UNLV.