JuJu Watkins returned to the Galen Center this week to lead a basketball camp that welcomed more than 150 girls from third through eighth grade. The session blended skill drills with small‑sided scrimmages, giving the youngsters a chance to learn directly from the USC star.
For Watkins, the camp was more than a showcase; it was a chance to reconnect with the game after a painful ACL tear that kept her sidelined last season. She described the energy of the participants as infectious, noting how their curiosity kept her motivated during the recovery process.
Watkins used the platform to articulate a clear ambition: guiding the Women of Troy to a national championship by 2027. Her vision includes the return of Jazzy Davidson, the reigning National Freshman of the Year, and the addition of top recruit Saniya Hall, who is expected to bolster the roster.
A promising future
The camp also highlighted the broader impact of the program, as community outreach and mentorship become integral parts of the team's identity. University officials praised Watkins' leadership, emphasizing how her presence reinforces the university's commitment to both athletic excellence and youth development.
Watkins' interaction with the campers underscored a growing trend of star athletes investing in grassroots programs, a move that could reshape recruiting pipelines and fan engagement across the West Coast.