USC star guard JuJu Watkins recently shared her progress in recovering from an ACL tear in her right knee, which she suffered during the second round of the NCAA Tournament in March. About nine months post-injury, Watkins has begun light workouts and expressed optimism about her rehabilitation journey. On Friday, she highlighted that she can now engage in individual shooting and ball-handling drills, stating, “Whatever I can do, I am trying to maximize that.”
Watkins had previously announced that she would miss the entire collegiate basketball season to focus solely on her recovery. While she initially hoped to delay that decision, she eventually had to confront the reality of her situation, emphasizing that overcoming the mental hurdles has been a significant aspect of her recovery. “Getting over that mental curve has been the biggest thing,” she reflected.
Currently, Watkins is attending Team USA’s basketball camp in Durham, North Carolina, where she is not participating in practice due to her ongoing rehabilitation. However, she is leveraging this experience to enhance her basketball IQ and leadership skills. She noted the energizing atmosphere, stating, “It’s enough just being [here] and feeling the energy.” Watkins expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to observe the communication and leadership on the court, which she plans to integrate into her development as both a leader and a player at USC.
Reflecting on her experience, Watkins remarked, “It’s always been a dream of mine to be in this atmosphere, so to live out those dreams, even though it looks different, I’m still blessed to be here.” Her resilience and commitment to growth during this challenging period serve as an inspiration to her fans and teammates alike.
