USC star JuJu Watkins is back for the new college basketball season after missing last year with a torn knee ligament, AP and the Guardian report. She hurt her ACL in the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament, AP reports. The Guardian calls it a 19-month layoff.

Watkins averaged 25.6 points a game in her first two seasons, AP reports. The third-ranked Trojans are chasing their first national title since 1984. She scored 18 points in 22 minutes in a recent exhibition win over California, the outlet reports.

"It's on my mind every day," Watkins said, AP reports. "I want it really badly, but also in a healthy way." She said she has dreamed about her first basket going in. "I might shed a tear, honestly," she said. She said she is "a smarter player coming back" after studying the game while she was hurt.

Watkins will share the backcourt with Jazzy Davidson for the first time, AP reports. Davidson was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and averaged 17.9 points. USC went 18-14 last season and lost in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Watkins was named Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year, the outlet reports.

Several Guardian writers picked Watkins as their national player of the year, the outlet reports. They also expect her to go first in the 2027 WNBA draft. One writer named UConn's Sarah Strong as the top pick for player of the year.

USC opens on Monday against UNLV in Las Vegas, AP reports. The Trojans visit top-ranked South Carolina on November 15.

What we know: Watkins is healthy and back on the court for USC this season.
What we don't: How quickly she will return to her old form in real games.