Entering the 2026-2027 season, there will be a ton of hype surrounding USC women’s basketball. Much of that, of course, is due to the expected return of superstar Juju Watkins. After missing the entire 2025-2026 season with a torn ACL, Watkins has resumed practicing, and will suit up for the Trojans this year.

On Monday, Watkins spoke to the media for the first time since her return to the court.

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“It’s just been a long time coming,” Watkins said, via 247Sports. “I feel great. I’m really blessed to just be here, feeling back like myself and being able to practice with the team.

“For me, a lot of it was just implementing myself in certain situations, and even though I wasn’t playing, just continue to have my thinking cap on in terms of [my return], things I would do differently, things I would bring back to the team — just trying to kind of heighten my IQ as much as possible.

“I’ve just been working out, grinding every day so that I could be in this position, so to see all the hard work kind of pay off right now, it’s really fulfilling.”

With Watkins leading the way, USC should be one of the top teams in the country this year. After four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, the Trojans are hoping to finally break through and make it to their first Final Four in over four decades.

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC’s Juju Watkins speaks for first time following return to court