JuJu Watkins takes encouraging step forward in ACL recovery

JuJu Watkins takes encouraging step forward in ACL recovery originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

USC star guard JuJu Watkins has reached an important milestone in her recovery, beginning light on-court workouts as she continues to rehab from a torn ACL in her right knee.

Watkins suffered the injury in March during the second round of the NCAA Tournament and is now about nine months into the recovery process. While she is not cleared for full basketball activity, she said she is finally able to work more comfortably with the ball again.

“Whatever I can do, I am trying to maximize that,” Watkins said. She explained that her current workouts include individual shooting and ball-handling drills, allowing her to slowly regain rhythm and confidence.

Earlier this fall, Watkins announced she would miss the entire college basketball season in order to focus fully on her recovery. She admitted that the decision was difficult and not one she made quickly.

“I tried to push it off as much as possible,” Watkins said, “but I had to come to terms with where I was at.”

Watkins also shared that the mental side of rehab has been the biggest challenge. Learning to stay patient and positive has taken time, especially for a competitor used to being on the court every day.

“Getting over that mental curve has been the biggest thing,” she said.

Watkins is currently attending Team USA’s basketball camp in Durham, North Carolina. Although she is not participating in practices, she is still gaining valuable experience by observing and learning from elite players and coaches.

“It’s enough just being here and feeling the energy,” Watkins said. “Hearing everyone’s voices, the communication, the leadership, you can see it right away.”

She added that being around that environment has helped raise her standards and will benefit her when she returns to USC.

“It brings up your standards, so I’ll definitely be taking some of these lessons back to USC to continue to grow as a leader and a player,” Watkins said.

Even though her role at the camp looks different than she once imagined, Watkins remains grateful for the opportunity.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to be in this atmosphere,” she said. “So to live out those dreams, even though it looks different, I’m still blessed to be here.”

While Watkins will miss the upcoming season, beginning light workouts is an encouraging sign. Her focus remains on long-term health, and her steady progress shows she is moving closer to a full return.

Career Highlights: What USC Will Gain When JuJu Watkins Returns

JuJu Watkins is not just a star player, she is a transformative force on the court. From her freshman year, she made history by setting the NCAA Division One freshman scoring record with an astonishing 920 points. Her ability to take over games was on full display when she shattered USC’s single-game scoring record by pouring in 51 points against Stanford. One of her most remarkable performances came against the top-ranked UCLA team, where she nearly recorded a triple double with 38 points, 11 rebounds, 8 blocks, and 5 assists, a feat unmatched by any Division One player in two decades.

Her sophomore season solidified her status as one of the nation’s elite, earning her prestigious National Player of the Year honors from the AP, USBWA, and Wooden and Naismith awards. Watkins quickly became the fastest Trojan and the third fastest in Division One history to reach 1,000 career points. Beyond individual accolades, she led USC to their first Elite Eight appearance in decades, elevating the program’s national prominence.

When Watkins returns to USC, the team will regain a dynamic leader and a multi-faceted playmaker whose scoring prowess, defensive intensity, and leadership set the tone for success. Her presence on the court not only brings exceptional talent but also inspires teammates and raises the overall level of competition, making USC a formidable contender in college basketball once again.

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