# USC Coach on JuJu Watkins' Growth After Injury

> USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb says JuJu Watkins' growth despite season-ending ACL injury makes her a national basketball star.
- Title: USC Coach on JuJu Watkins' Growth After Injury | Shortify
- Summary: USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb says JuJu Watkins' growth despite season-ending ACL injury makes her a national basketball star.
- Keywords: juju watkins, usc women basketball, acl injury, ncaa final fours, lindsay gottlieb, wnba, usc seahawks, ncaa championship, galen center, december 5, 2026-27 season, usc basketball
- Source: EssentiallySports — https://essentiallysports.com/wnba-basketball-news-unbelievable-usc-coach-voices-thoughts-over-juju-watkins-growth-despite-suffering-season-ending-injury
- Author: Akshat Rajput
- Published: 2026-10-19T11:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: juju watkins, usc women basketball, acl injury, ncaa final fours, lindsay gottlieb, wnba, usc seahawks, ncaa championship, galen center, december 5, 2026-27 season, usc basketball
## JuJu Watkins' Injury
JuJu Watkins suffered a season-ending acl injury in march 2025 after being 17 years old.
## USC Coach's View
USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb says Watkins' growth from 17 to 21 years old is unbelievable despite injury.
## Injury Impact
Watkins became more intentional about her training after the injury, focusing on body and reps.
## Team's Goal
USC aims for its first ncaa championship since 1984 with Watkins returning in 2026-27.
## Next Games
USC plays washington on december 5, then wisconsin on december 29, and northwestern on january 30.
## Watkins' Return
Watkins will return to play against uc berkeley on october 25 after a year-long injury.
## Key takeaway

USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb says JuJu Watkins' growth despite season-ending ACL injury makes her a national basketball star.