USC JuJu Watkins Returns After 19-Month Layoff
The Trojans welcome back their former Naismith Player of the Year while South Carolina and UCLA make moves to maintain their elite status.
By Carmen Wojcik ·
JuJu Watkins is back on the USC practice court. The former Naismith Player of the Year returned to practice this summer after missing approximately 19 months due to a torn ACL. She sustained the injury during the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Watkins holds the NCAA Division I freshman scoring record with 920 points. As a sophomore, she averaged 23.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. Coach Lindsay Gottlieb says the Trojans are ready for a bounce-back year. The team will also feature Jazzy Davidson, the 2025-26 national freshman of the year. USC added Saniyah Hall, the No. 1 player in the ESPN class of 2026, to the roster.
South Carolina lost starting point guard Raven Johnson to graduation. Rising junior Maddy McDaniel was set to step into that role but withdrew from the university this summer to focus on her mental health. Coach Dawn Staley used a waiver granted by the California ruling on August 18 to sign Brooke Quarles-Daniels. Quarles-Daniels is a fifth-year guard who played at Oakland and Michigan. She has experience running the point guard position. Staley said other players on the roster are willing to take on those responsibilities. The Gamecocks remain a favorite with the returns of Joyce Edwards, Tessa Johnson, Chloe Kitts, and Ashlyn Watkins.
UCLA lost all six players who scored in its championship game against South Carolina. The Bruins are rebuilding with a group of new transfers. Coach Cori Close added Addy Brown from Iowa State and Donovyn Hunter from TCU. She also signed KK Bransford from Notre Dame, Bonnie Deas from Arkansas, and Elina Aarnisalo from UNC. Sienna Betts showed promise in a July game against Canada. She recorded 20 points and 12 rebounds in that matchup. Fifth-year player Timea Gardiner returns from a knee injury that kept her out last season. Close described Gardiner as the player who holds the pulse of the team. Freshmen Lina Jerković and Somto Okafor said Gardiner and Hunter earned their respect immediately.
Tennessee faced a complete roster turnover after the transfer portal closed in April. Every player who saw court time last season either graduated or transferred. Five-star freshman Oliviyah Edwards de-committed and chose South Carolina. The Lady Vols signed Kaylene Smikle from Maryland, but she missed most of her senior season due to knee surgery. Avery Mills, a transfer from Liberty, suffered a torn ACL and meniscus in late June. She will be out for an extended period. Tennessee enters the season with a young and untested group.
Oklahoma State strengthened its roster with two high-profile transfers. The Sooners signed Audi Crooks from Iowa State and Liv McGill from Florida. Crooks was averaging 29.5 points per game with Iowa State when she transferred. McGill averaged 22.5 points per contest at Florida. Coach Jacie Hoyt told IX Sports in August that both players prioritize winning. The Sooners believe these additions put them in a better position for a deeper NCAA Tournament run.
Michigan announced on September 3 that starting point guard Mila Holloway is out indefinitely. She suffered a left lower leg injury. The team did not disclose specific details but confirmed it is not a torn ACL. Holloway averaged 12.3 points and 4.8 assists per game last season. Coach Kim Barnes signed 22-year-old Dallas Loughridge to add depth at the point guard position. Loughridge has professional experience in Australia.
