Major boost for JuJu Watkins' USC as star teammate returns for highly anticipated UConn game
JuJu Watkins and the USC Trojans received a major boost ahead of their victory against Paige Bueckers and the UConn Huskies. Star guard Kennedy Smith, who has been sidelined with an injury since the end of November, made her return against the Huskies on Saturday night.
The Trojans made the big announcement on their social media accounts, which you can check out below.
Southern California starting guard Kennedy Smith returned to action after spending over a month recovering from a surgical procedure, playing 23 minutes for the Trojans and scoring nine points. She also grabbed three rebounds and got a block on the night.
USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb spoke about her injury in November, highlighting the importance of Smith's role on the team.
“It really broke her not to be out there that day. Kennedy has been incredibly important to us,” Gottlieb said. “She’s the best incoming freshman defensively that I’ve had in my career. She is a big part of the things we do, and we’re thankful to have her back this season.”
Smith was a crucial player for the Trojans before her surgery. She averaged 10.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg, and 2.0 apg over four games. Her last outing was on Nov. 15 against Santa Clara, where she tallied nine points and five steals to help secure a win for USC.
When USC announced that Smith would be out for an extended period, there was no clear timeline for her return. Thankfully for the Trojans, she was back just in time for the game against UConn, and her presence made an immediate difference.
What Kennedy Smith adds to JuJu Watkins' USC
Kennedy Smith's defensive skills stand out first. With her size, strength, and length, she brings a physical presence that sets her apart from other freshmen. Smith can handle aggressive play on both ends of the floor, which helped USC hold UConn in check for the first two and a half quarters.
On offense, Smith's height (6-foot-1) gives her a clear view of the court, allowing her to pass with better angles and precision. She changes how USC moves the ball and opens up opportunities by setting solid screens and drawing defensive attention. Against UConn, Smith's presence provided an additional scoring option when JuJu Watkins was double-teamed.
Kennedy Smith can help JuJu Watkins and the USC women’s basketball team reach its full potential, and her return could be a game-changer for the rest of the season.