Rodney Rice will return to USC men's basketball for the 2026-2027 season after recovering from a shoulder injury, while Juju Watkins is set to come back from a knee injury for the women's team. Their performances will be crucial in defining the success of both teams next season.
Last week, USC menās basketball got a massive boost when it was announced that Rodney Rice will be returning to the Trojans for the 2026-2027 season. Rice averaged 20.3 points per game for USC in six appearances early this past season, but suffered a shoulder injury in late November that sidelined him for the rest of the year.
Now, Rice is set to return next season with the hope of staying healthy this time around. With Rice back, comebacks from injuries will seemingly be the theme at Galen Center next winter.
How the USC menās team fares next season will be massively affected by the performance of Rice in his return to the court. Meanwhile, the Women of Troy will be led by Juju Watkins, who will be coming back from a knee injury that kept her out for the entire 2025-2026 season.
In Rice and Watkins, both USC basketball teams will have strong veteran leadership next season, which is a great thing. How the two players fare in their respective returns from injuries may very well determine whether or not the 2026-2027 season at Galen Center is a successful one.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Rodney Rice, Juju Watkins comebacks will define USC basketball in 2027
Rodney Rice suffered a shoulder injury in late November that sidelined him for the rest of the season.
Juju Watkins' knee injury kept her out for the entire 2025-2026 season, impacting the team's performance significantly.
Expectations are high for USC basketball in the 2026-2027 season, largely depending on the performances of Rodney Rice and Juju Watkins as they return from their injuries.
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