USC's JuJu Watkins nearing end of rehab on knee

PHOENIX -- JuJu Watkins put up shot after shot on the far end of the Phoenix Mercury practice court with her trademark bun pulled down to the back. She sported the No. 40 on her red Team USA jersey with a blue T-shirt underneath. There was no knee brace needed for the Southern California star working her way back from a torn ACL that took away her 2025-26 season.

"Recovery's coming along very well," Watkins said. "Just staying with it, and I'll be back soon.

"I'm like working out and stuff. While I'm here just shooting mainly, but back home just working on everything. Getting closer to the finish line, so I'm grateful about that."

The No. 1 recruit in the 2023 class tore her right ACL in the second round of the 2025 NCAA tournament against Mississippi State on March 24. That leaves her over a year removed from the injury, and she's expected to be ready by the start of the 2026-27 college season.



https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48387467/usc-juju-watkins-nearing-end-rehab-knee