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As JuJu Watkins continues her recovery from a serious knee injury, the USC women's basketball community is rallying behind its star.
Although her return to the court may not happen until the 2026-27 season, Watkins' impact on the game is still being widely recognized, and celebrated.
JuJu Watkins earns national recognition
This week, USC announced that Watkins has been nominated for the Sportswoman of the Year award at the BET Awards.
The honor reflects not only her on-court success but also her broader influence on women's college basketball, where she's quickly become one of the sport's most prominent figures.
Watkins' nomination places her among elite company.
Last year's winner, Angel Reese, received the award after a dominant season at LSU and a high-profile transition to the WNBA.
Watkins was also a nominee then, alongside household names like Naomi Osaka, Simone Biles, Coco Gauff, Sha'Carri Richardson, A'ja Wilson, and Flau'jae Johnson.
This year, both Reese and Johnson return to the nominee list-once again underscoring the increasingly high profile of women in college and professional sports.
Even with her season cut short, Watkins made a lasting mark.
She helped lift USC to a No. 1 national ranking during the year and averaged nearly 24 points per game.
Her standout performances earned her top honors at USC's Tommy Awards, which celebrate the university's best athletes across all sports.
Beyond her stats, Watkins has become a cultural icon.
A mural in Downtown Los Angeles now bears her likeness, and her growing personal brand is influencing USC's recruiting across sports.
She played a role in convincing four-star football recruit Deshonne Redeaux to the Trojans and continues to inspire young athletes nationwide, including top women's basketball prospect Amari Byles.
Watkins' presence is being felt even in her absence.
As she works through her rehabilitation, with no set timetable for return, the basketball world continues to look ahead to her comeback.
If her track record is any indication, she won't just return; she'll return stronger, ready to once again shape the future of women's basketball.