Team USA camp is a mix of talent from all age groups, including former Olympians and college stars. A’ja Wilson led the new set of players for the April training camp, but a few players, including Paige Bueckers and JuJu Watkins, returned to the action.
In the space of three and a half months, the USC star has made much progress in her recovery and spoke about the same in the recent interview.
JuJu Watkins Provides Positive Health Update
During the December training camp, the explosive guard did not take part in many activities and just absorbed all the information, tactics, and learning she could. She also mentioned that she is recovering slowly.
But now in April, close to the end of the 2025-26 season, the player is nearing her complete fitness as she said, “Recovery’s coming along very well. Just staying with it, and I’ll be back soon. I’m like working out and stuff. While I’m here just shooting mainly, but back home just working on everything. Getting closer to the finish line, so I’m grateful about that.”
Started my 2nd day in Phoenix at USA Training Camp practice and got a quick health update from JuJu Watkins. pic.twitter.com/veHmJad2Zr
— Rob from Chester, Pa (@knoxrob1) April 3, 2026
She added, “I think this journey has definitely taught me to have a lot of patience. So many ups and downs within the process, but just staying true to myself and staying true to process. I would love to be out there participating with everyone else to the best of my ability. Just to be here and be in this space, get out of L.A. for a while. It’s a different change of scenery. It’s really nice. Just reminding me to stick with it.”
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Fans are also excited for the upcoming ISC season with healthy Watkins and a strong, competitive roster around her. The Trojans finished the season as a No. 9 seed in the 2026 NCAA tournament with an 18-14 record. They lost to the finalists, South Carolina, in the second round.
Team USA supremo Sue Bird also praised her young talent in the recent discussion with reporters.
Sue Bird Praises JuJu Watkins
Three-time gold medalist Sue Bird was very happy with the talent available for selection. Earlier, she praised Paige Bueckers for her ability to bond with teammates and impact the game, and also lauded young Watkins.
“JuJu’s in a great spot. Obviously, tearing your ACL as a young player is not fun. But, I can speak firsthand, you learn a lot from the experience. And just in talking to her, you can see she’s in a really settled place, a really calm place. Ready to get back on the court. I’m sure she’s itching to do that,” Bird said.
I asked Sue Bird about the advice she has given USC star forward Juju Watkins on her journey to recovery since tearing her ACL over a year ago. @ThePodiumFinish pic.twitter.com/BGItzrnyMq
— Aya Abdeen (@ayabdeen) April 3, 2026
“As you get closer to the end, it actually gets harder because you know you’re ready, but you still have to take your time with it. But she looks great. I know she’ll have a great summer, and hopefully we’ll see her back on the court next year,” Bird added.
The World Cup games are in September 2026; it’s unlikely that Watkins will play for the senior team, looking at the current roster.