JuJu Watkins ACL Recovery Timeline: Inside USC Star's 19-Month Road Back to Basketball

USC women's basketball star JuJu Watkins is poised to return to the court after a grueling 19-month recovery from a torn ACL. The injury, which occurred in November 2023 during a game against Cal Poly, sidelined the then-freshman phenom for the entirety of the 2023-24 season. Watkins, a 6-foot-2 guard from Los Angeles, was the nation's top recruit and had averaged 27.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.0 steals in her first five collegiate games before going down. Her absence was a significant blow to a USC program that had high hopes for a deep NCAA tournament run, and her recovery timeline became a focal point for fans and analysts tracking the Trojans' rebuilding efforts. The lengthy rehabilitation process included surgery in December 2023, followed by months of physical therapy, strength training, and gradual return-to-play protocols. Watkins remained a visible presence on the USC bench, mentoring younger players and maintaining her leadership role. Now, with the 2024-25 season approaching, Watkins has been cleared for full-contact practice and is expected to be a centerpiece of a revamped USC lineup that includes several top transfers and recruits. Her return is not just a personal milestone but a potential catalyst for USC's resurgence in the competitive Big Ten Conference. For Watkins, the journey back has been as much mental as physical, and she has credited her support system and faith for keeping her focused. As she steps back onto the hardwood, all eyes will be on whether the former No. 1 recruit can recapture her explosive scoring and dynamic playmaking. The Trojans' ceiling—and perhaps the national title race—may hinge on it.