JuJu Watkins Will Return to Court on November 2

The USC star is set to play against UNLV following a lengthy recovery from a torn ACL sustained in the 2025 NCAA tournament.

Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Basketball

JuJu Watkins Will Return to Court on November 2

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Do you plan to watch the USC season opener following JuJu Watkins' return from injury?

USC standout JuJu Watkins is scheduled to return to the basketball court on November 2, 2026, for the team's season opener against UNLV. Watkins has been sidelined since 2025 after suffering a torn ACL in her right knee during an NCAA tournament game.

Why it matters

Watkins is returning after missing the entire 2025-26 season to focus on rehabilitation. Her presence on the court is expected to significantly impact the Trojans' performance as she resumes her collegiate career.

Watkins maintained an average of 25.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game across her initial two college seasons. She notably earned the Wooden Award during the 2024-25 campaign.

The players

JuJu Watkins

She is a standout USC basketball player who earned the Wooden Award and averaged 25.5 points in her first two seasons.

USC

The University of Southern California is a major collegiate athletics program competing in the Big Ten conference.

UNLV

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas is the opponent for the upcoming season opener.

The details

After sustaining a torn ACL in 2025, Watkins underwent a rigorous daily rehabilitation regimen to address the injury. Throughout her extended layoff, she remained involved with the team by observing practices and games from the sideline.

Watkins suffered a torn ACL during the 2025 NCAA tournament.
The 2024-25 college basketball season was missed entirely by Watkins.
Watkins will return to the court on November 2, 2026, against UNLV.

Season Trajectory

Watkins' return significantly alters the outlook for USC as they navigate the upcoming season. Her presence bolsters the team's competitiveness and shifts the expectations for the roster as she rejoins the lineup following her recovery from a season-ending injury.

Watkins returns to the starting rotation, which significantly increases the offensive output potential for the USC lineup. Fans can expect her to integrate back into game play following her documented rehabilitation period.

The takeaway

Watkins has stated that she expects to play as a more intelligent athlete upon her return to the floor. This marks a critical milestone in her recovery journey as she attempts to regain her status as a premier college basketball player.