As she sat down to speak with reporters for the first time in 15 months, JuJu Watkins smiled. It was great to be back. “It’s definitely been a whirlwind of emotions,” the USC women’s basketball superstar said Monday inside the Galen Center, “but I’m just really grateful to be here sitting with you all today.” Watkins’ return from the terrible knee injury she suffered in March 2025 that wiped out a possible Final Four run – not to mention the entire following season – also has made her coaches