The long-awaited JuJu Watkins return is officially scheduled for Monday, Nov. 2, marking the end of a 588-day absence from competitive basketball. The USC women's basketball standout will take the floor at 4 p.m. as the Trojans host UNLV to open the 2026-27 season, a moment that signals the final chapter of a grueling recovery process from a major knee injury.
Watkins, now a 21-year-old senior, has spent the last year and a half rehabilitating an ACL tear that sidelined her during the peak of her collegiate career. As she prepares to lead the Women of Troy once again, the eyes of the basketball world are on Los Angeles to see if the player many consider the best in the nation can reclaim her dominant form.
The Injury That Halted a Historic Run
The momentum of Watkins' career came to a sudden stop on March 24, 2025. During a second-round NCAA Tournament game at the Galen Center against Mississippi State, Watkins collapsed just five minutes into the contest. The diagnosis was a torn ACL, an injury that forced her to miss the remainder of that tournament and the entirety of the 2025-26 season.
Reflecting on the moment of the JuJu Watkins injury, the star guard recalled the physical sensation of the ligament tearing and the immediate shock that followed. Despite the heartbreak of losing a season of eligibility, Watkins used the time away to shift her focus from purely winning championships to prioritizing her long-term health and her identity as a leader. During her time on the sidelines, she continued to accumulate honors, including the John Wooden Award, the Naismith Player of the Year, and the USBWA Ann Meyers Drysdale National Player of the Year.
A Legacy Rooted in Watts
For Judea "JuJu" Watkins, playing for USC was always about more than just basketball; it was a homecoming. Her family has been a pillar of the Watts community for over six decades. Her great-grandfather, Ted Watkins, was a civil rights figure who founded the Watts Labor Community Action Committee (WLCAC) after fleeing Mississippi as a teenager.
The family motto, "Don't move, improve," served as the primary inspiration for Watkins to stay in Los Angeles rather than join other powerhouse programs like Stanford or South Carolina. By choosing the Trojans, she aimed to revitalize the program's winning culture while staying close to the community where she first learned the game playing against her brothers and cousins.
Rewriting the USC Record Books
Before her injury, Watkins put together one of the most impressive statistical resumes in the history of the sport. Her impact was immediate; in her very first collegiate game against Ohio State on Nov. 6, 2023, she scored 32 points. That performance broke the school record for a freshman debut, previously held by the legendary Lisa Leslie.
Key milestones in her career include:
* 51 points against Stanford: A program-record scoring outburst on Feb. 2, 2024, that led to an upset of the No. 4 ranked Cardinal.
* The Battle of Los Angeles: In a 2025 matchup against UCLA, Watkins recorded 38 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 blocks to defeat the top-ranked Bruins.
* Conference Success: She led the team to a Pac-12 Championship in 2024 and a Big Ten regular-season title in 2025.
Under head coach Lindsay Gottlieb, Watkins helped transform USC into a perennial No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, reaching the Elite Eight for the first time in nearly forty years in 2024.
What to Expect for the 2026-27 Season
As the Trojans transition into the new season, Watkins is expected to play under a minutes restriction as she acclimates to the pace of live game action. The coaching and medical staff at USC are taking a cautious approach to her return, a strategy Watkins admits has been a test of her patience.
Despite the restrictions, her confidence remains unshaken. When asked about the requirements for the team's success this year, Watkins stated firmly, "There is no if." The goal remains a trip to the Final Four in Columbus and a national title.
Regarding her future beyond this season, Watkins remains focused on the present. While the WNBA Draft looms as a natural next step for a player of her caliber, she has indicated that she will make that decision when the time feels right, prioritizing the current quest for a championship with the Women of Troy.
"I'm feeling great, so I'm just excited to be back and ready to get after it," Watkins said of her mindset heading into the season opener.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is JuJu Watkins' first game back?
Watkins is scheduled to make her return on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, at 4 p.m. PT against UNLV. The game will be held at the Galen Center and broadcast on CBS Sports Network.
How long was JuJu Watkins out with her injury?
She was away from official game action for a total of 588 days following an ACL tear sustained in March 2025. She missed the entire 2025-26 collegiate season during her recovery.
What awards has JuJu Watkins won at USC?
Despite her injury, Watkins is a two-time All-American and has won the Wooden Award, the Naismith Player of the Year, and the Big Ten Player of the Year honors.