USC Women’s Basketball Media Day Gives First Look at a Loaded Roster

USC women’s basketball held media availability today, and it gave everyone a first look at where this team is mentally heading into the upcoming season.

Head coach Lindsay Gottlieb opened the day and spoke for about 25 minutes. As usual, Gottlieb gave thoughtful answers and touched on the bigger picture of where the program is, how this roster is coming together, and what the expectations look like moving forward.

There is no way around it: USC has a lot of attention around this team. Between the returning talent, the young star power, and the new pieces joining the program, this is going to be one of the most talked-about teams in women’s college basketball.

After Gottlieb finished, JuJu Watkins spoke for about 10 minutes. This was an important moment because it was JuJu’s first time speaking to the media since her injury. Her availability was not just about basketball. It was also about where she is mentally, what she has been studying while away from live action, and how she is preparing for what comes next.

JuJu is still the center of a lot of attention, but this season will not be just about what she does by herself. The bigger question is how the pieces around her can change the way defenses have to approach USC. With more players who can score, create, defend, and make plays, there should be more ways for this team to attack.

The final portion of media availability featured Kennedy Smith, Jazzy Davidson, and Saniyah Hall together. That group brought a different kind of energy to the room.

Kennedy Smith continues to represent toughness and defense. She has already built a reputation as one of USC’s tone-setters on that end of the floor, and her growth will be important for this team’s identity.

Jazzy Davidson is coming off a season where she was asked to do a lot. She scored, passed, rebounded, defended, and carried a major role as a freshman. Now, with JuJu back and more pieces around her, the question becomes how her game continues to expand.

Saniyah Hall is one of the new faces USC fans are excited to see. She brings size, skill, versatility, and confidence. Even though it is still early, she already looks like someone who can give USC different options on both ends of the floor.

The biggest takeaway from media day is simple: USC has talent, but now the work is about fit.

How does this group build chemistry?
How does the defense take shape?
How do JuJu, Jazzy, Kennedy, Saniyah, and the rest of the roster all grow together?
And how quickly can this team turn all that talent into something connected on the court?

Media day gave us the first look. Now the real work begins.

You can watch each video by clicking the link below.