USC Stacks Squad Around JuJu Watkins with Highly Touted New Recruit

Overview

USC Trojans guard JuJu Watkins has established herself as a standout player in women’s college basketball.

As a freshman, she played a crucial role in leading the USC Women of Troy to the Elite Eight of the 2024 NCAA Tournament, where they faced the formidable UConn Huskies. Despite scoring 29 points, USC fell short with an 80-73 loss. Many fans believe that USC’s lack of depth beyond Watkins contributed to their inability to advance further in the tournament.

The landscape is changing for USC’s women’s basketball team, particularly with the commitment of five-star recruit Jazzy Davidson from Clackamas, Oregon.

Davidson, standing at 6-foot-2, is regarded as one of the top players in the 2025 high school class. Her addition will complement the talent of Watkins, who still has at least two NCAA seasons remaining before going pro.

Both players are expected to share the court for the 2025-26 season, creating a promising duo for the Trojans.

In addition to Davidson, USC has made several key acquisitions to strengthen their roster.

Kiki Iriafen, a former star at Stanford, brings significant experience and talent.

Talia von Oelhoffen, who excelled at Oregon State, adds depth to the lineup.

Moreover, Kennedy Smith, recently recognized as the Gatorade California State Player of the Year, is another impactful addition.

With these improvements, USC is gaining momentum as a serious contender for the national championship in the upcoming seasons.

The combination of Watkins’ scoring ability and the new recruits’ skills aim to elevate the program’s competitiveness.

USC’s strong recruiting class positions them well for success in women’s college basketball, making fans optimistic about the future.

The coaching staff, led by Lindsay Gottlieb, is focused on harnessing this talent to create a championship-caliber team.