Photo by: USC Athletics
USC’s JuJu Watkins to Miss 2025-26 Season to Focus on Recovery
September 28, 2025 | Women's Basketball
LOS ANGELES — USC women's basketball All-American JuJu Watkins announced on Sunday, Sept. 28, that she will not compete during the 2025-26 season to focus on her recovery from the season-ending injury she sustained during the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
"These last few months have been filled with a lot of healing, rest and reflection," Watkins said. "Recovering from this injury hasn't been easy, and I want to say thank you — your love, support and kind words have truly lifted me up during one of the most challenging times in my life. Because you've been with me every step of the way, I wanted you to hear it from me directly that, following the advice of my doctors and trainers, I will sit out this season and fully focus on continuing to recover so I can come back to the game I love."
"I'm incredibly thankful for my family, teammates, coaches, the USC training personnel, Jason, Shane and everyone who's continued to support me every day through this journey. I'm excited to keep putting in work to come back even stronger."
"JuJu's health and well-being are our top priority, and we fully support her decision to focus on recovery this season," USC head women's basketball coach Lindsay Gottlieb said. "While we will certainly miss her impact on the court, she continues to play a vital role in our program as a leader and teammate. The strength and maturity she has shown through this process is a reflection of who she is, and we know the Trojan Family will continue to rally behind her. We look forward to the day she returns to competition stronger than ever."
During the 2024-25 season, Watkins swept virtually every major national honor, earning the Naismith Trophy, John R. Wooden Award, USBWA Ann Meyers Drysdale National Player of the Year, Associated Press First-Team All-America, The Athletic National Player of the Year and Sporting News Player of the Year. She averaged 23.9 points and 3.4 assists per game while leading the Trojans to a Big Ten regular season title and a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
Watkins has already established herself as one of the most decorated players in USC history. The 6-foot-2 guard became the fastest player in program history — and the second-fastest in Division I women's basketball — to reach 1,000 career points, accomplishing the feat in just 38 games. Through two seasons as a Trojan, she ranks ninth on USC's all-time scoring list with 1,709 points, sixth in free throws made (459) and 10th in blocks (114).
USC enters the 2025-26 season as the defending Big Ten regular season champions and have advanced to back-to-back NCAA Elite Eight appearances. Last season the Women of Troy recorded their first 30-win campaign since 1985-86, signaling a return to national prominence under Gottlieb's leadership.
"These last few months have been filled with a lot of healing, rest and reflection," Watkins said. "Recovering from this injury hasn't been easy, and I want to say thank you — your love, support and kind words have truly lifted me up during one of the most challenging times in my life. Because you've been with me every step of the way, I wanted you to hear it from me directly that, following the advice of my doctors and trainers, I will sit out this season and fully focus on continuing to recover so I can come back to the game I love."
"I'm incredibly thankful for my family, teammates, coaches, the USC training personnel, Jason, Shane and everyone who's continued to support me every day through this journey. I'm excited to keep putting in work to come back even stronger."
"JuJu's health and well-being are our top priority, and we fully support her decision to focus on recovery this season," USC head women's basketball coach Lindsay Gottlieb said. "While we will certainly miss her impact on the court, she continues to play a vital role in our program as a leader and teammate. The strength and maturity she has shown through this process is a reflection of who she is, and we know the Trojan Family will continue to rally behind her. We look forward to the day she returns to competition stronger than ever."
During the 2024-25 season, Watkins swept virtually every major national honor, earning the Naismith Trophy, John R. Wooden Award, USBWA Ann Meyers Drysdale National Player of the Year, Associated Press First-Team All-America, The Athletic National Player of the Year and Sporting News Player of the Year. She averaged 23.9 points and 3.4 assists per game while leading the Trojans to a Big Ten regular season title and a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
Watkins has already established herself as one of the most decorated players in USC history. The 6-foot-2 guard became the fastest player in program history — and the second-fastest in Division I women's basketball — to reach 1,000 career points, accomplishing the feat in just 38 games. Through two seasons as a Trojan, she ranks ninth on USC's all-time scoring list with 1,709 points, sixth in free throws made (459) and 10th in blocks (114).
USC enters the 2025-26 season as the defending Big Ten regular season champions and have advanced to back-to-back NCAA Elite Eight appearances. Last season the Women of Troy recorded their first 30-win campaign since 1985-86, signaling a return to national prominence under Gottlieb's leadership.
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballWomen's Basketball Head Coach Lindsay Gottlieb Media Availability 9/18/25
Thursday, September 18
USC WBB's Lindsay Gottlieb, Rayah Marshall and Talia von Oelhoffen | Trojan Press Conference
Monday, March 31
USC WBB heads to the Elite 8, defeats Kansas State in Sweet 16 | Rapid Reaction
Saturday, March 29
Kennedy Smith on USC WBB heading to the Elite Eight, Trojan freshmen getting the job done
Saturday, March 29
