USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb highlights patience for JuJu Watkins after ACL injury

There is a lot that goes on when the cameras are not around. One of the main daily fights among USC student-athletes is to stay healthy. Rarely, if ever, is anyone truly 100% healthy. When a serious injury does occur, the process to get back to being able to contribute on the court can take that much more out of a player.

While discussing the pulse of her team with the Big Ten Network, coach Lindsay Gottlieb gave fans a brief look into what recovery looks like. During this past season's NCAA Tournament, JuJu Watkins tore her ACL.

That is the type of injury that typically can take close to a year for the ligament to fully heal and allow for a player to return to practice. In her discussion with the media member, however, coach Gottlieb focused on a different aspect.

The Trojan head coach noted how difficult it is for someone to have something that means so much to the individual to be taken away. For Watkins, competing and pursuing both individual and team goals is a large part of her life. This setback, naturally, would come as something of a shock to the system in terms of no longer being able to warm up and practice the game she loves and has excelled at to this point in her career.

Coach Gottlieb noted how, following when the injury occurred, there was not too much talk surrounding making a push to come back for the 2025-2026 season or anything of that nature. Instead, it was important for the Trojan HC to let Watkins know that the USC family is here to help her through this difficult process and that there is an outcome that has a positive end from the devastating March Madness incident.

Road to recovery for USC guard

That can be a large part of the initial mental hurdle. Coach Gottlieb, however, assured the audience that there is a concrete plan in place with many checkpoints for Watkins to continually progress toward in her rehab journey.

Naturally, everyone who follows USC hopes to be able to see Watkins return. Coach Gottlieb also made it clear that there is not going to be a push or sped-up timetable for the guard. When the Naismith Women's College Basketball Player of the Year makes her eventual return in the Cardinal and Gold, it will be a tremendous moment for the Trojans. Until then, Watkins knows that she has the full support of Trojan athletics and the fan base.