COLUMBIA, S.C. — There's more than one way to make an impact, asJuJu Watkinshas found in a different role for theUSC women's basketball teamthis season.
"Whether it's holding lip balm on the bench or just being there with the water. I've been trying to help them as much as I can and prepare to get back next year," Watkins said.
Last year, Watkins and the No. 1 Trojans had hopes of a Final Four appearance, maybe even a national championship, but those dreams were cut short. On Feb. 24, in the second round of the NCAA Women's Tournament, Watkins tore the ACL in her right knee against Mississippi State.
She's been on the sidelines ever since, electing to take redshirt season rather than rush back. With a huge scoring presence gone, the Trojans were forced to shift their focus to fill that gap.
Enter freshman forwardJazzy Davidson. She's leading in every category for the team, averaging 17.6 points per game.
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Davidson, though, has someone leading her – Watkins.
"She's helped me a lot with challenges on the court, but also off the court, the mental aspect of being a freshman and being in the position that I'm in and that she was in, she's been awesome to have," Davidson said.
Davidson earned the Big Ten Freshman of the Year award. Watkins was Pac-12 Freshman of the Year in 2024.
Davidson scored a career-high 32 points in late February against Ohio State, becoming the first Trojan to score 30 or more points in a game since Watkins in 2024.
Such similarities have been the glue to the close bond between the two. One of their favorite ways to relax is to go out to eat at Din Tai Fung, where they can unwind and enjoy each other's presence.
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"I can't wait to play with her, and she's taking everything head on, and I can't wait to see what she has in March," Watkins said.
No. 9 seed USC will face No. 8 Clemson in a first-round game Saturday (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2).
Watkins knows that the stakes are high for the matchup against Clemson, but she has faith in Davidson. When Davidson blocks out all the noise and locks in on the task at hand, Watkins said, she's going to do whatever it takes to help her team win.
Since her injury, Watkins has taken on a role similar to an assistant coach for all her teammates, offering her input when needed and becoming the person anyone can turn to if they need anything. She is a steady presence for the team, something that head coach Lindsay Gottlieb values.
Watkins also has given Gottlieb perspective as a coach. She recalled a moment over the summer when she reflected on what last season might have been if Watkins hadn't been injured. Watkins reframed the disappointment.
"She just looked me straight in the eye and said, 'Coach, it wasn't our time. When it's our time, it'll be our time,'" Gottlieb said.
Everything happens in the right timing for the right reasons. This March, it's Davidson's time to shine and show she has what it takes to carry a team through adversity.
With Watkins providing the lip balm – and so much more.
Alyssia Hamilton is a student in the University of Georgia's Carmical Sports Media Institute.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:JuJu Watkins injury brought new purpose with USC women in March Madness