Dawn Staley Pursues Recruitment of JuJu Watkins for South Carolina

Mo. Basuony

Published: March 23, 2026 8:47 PM ET

Dawn Staley Pursues Recruitment of JuJu Watkins for South Carolina

JuJu Watkins watched Southern California practice on March 20 at Colonial Life Arena. She missed her junior season after tearing an ACL in a March second-round game last year.

Watkins’ college career and injury

Watkins entered college as the No. 1 prospect in the Class of 2024 from Los Angeles. She averaged 27.1 points as a freshman and 23.9 as a sophomore. The ACL tear occurred in March 2025, ending her season and sidelining her for the 2025-26 year.

March tournament picture in Columbia

Southern Cal is seeded No. 9 in the Columbia Regional of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Tournament. South Carolina holds the No. 1 seed and a 31-3 record. A scheduled No. 16 Southern game is set for March 21 at 1 p.m. ET on ABC.

If the Gamecocks advance and the Trojans beat No. 8 Clemson, the teams would meet on March 23. Clemson and Southern Cal play March 21 at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

Connection with Dawn Staley

Coach Dawn Staley has stayed in touch with Watkins and her support network. Staley sent a personal message after the injury and expressed how highly Watkins is regarded.

The situation has renewed interest in Dawn Staley Pursues Recruitment of JuJu Watkins for South Carolina during Watkins’ high school recruitment. Both sides maintained a relationship during JuJu’s recovery.

Shared business and league involvement

Watkins and Staley were investors in Unrivaled, a 3×3 basketball league launched in 2025. The league completed its second offseason season in 2026. The investment linked them off the court as well as on it.

“The Real SC” series and recent meetings

Shortly before Watkins’ injury, South Carolina and Southern Cal announced a bicoastal series called “The Real SC.” The first game took place in Los Angeles on Nov. 15, 2025. South Carolina won that matchup 69-52.

The return game is scheduled for Nov. 15, 2026, at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville. Watkins hugged Staley before the Los Angeles meeting.

Recruiting background and coaching notes

Watkins revealed her final choices between both USCs in an NBC docuseries titled “On the Rise: JuJu Watkins” in 2024. She announced her college decision live on ESPN at Sierra Canyon School.

Sierra Canyon is also the high school of Jerzy Robinson, a top 2026 recruit committed to South Carolina. Lindsay Gottlieb has led Southern Cal since the 2021-22 season. Gottlieb arrived after eight seasons as Cal’s head coach.