​Is any part of the USC women’s basketball roster overrated? It’s a question that invites careful consideration as we approach the eagerly awaited 2026-2027 season, and it deserves a measured, nuanced response. First, the starting backcourt is not overrated. JuJu Watkins and Jazzy Davidson are as formidable as it gets at that position, and Kennedy Smith is not overrated either. She proved her worth last season, contributing both when she was able to play and when she was sidelined. USC notably performed worse without her, underscoring her importance to the program. Saniyah Hall and Sitaya Fagan entered USC as high-profile recruits. They might be labeled “overrated” in the sense that their early ratings are lofty and we have yet to see them compete in college basketball, but making a definitive judgment before they step onto the floor for the Trojans would be premature.
If we must pinpoint a potential area of overvaluation, the honest answer is that it’s premature to declare any part of the team overrated. Real assessment requires live action, which we’ll get in November. That said, addressing the question directly—something many fans are curious about—the most meaningful lens is not individual stars but the overall group dynamic. USC didn’t have JuJu Watkins for much of last season, and that absence rippled through the roster, dampening performance across multiple positions. With JuJu back in the mix, the entire lineup stands to benefit. The emphasis shifts from isolated star power to how well players complement one another, working in tandem with JuJu, Jazzy, and Kennedy to form a cohesive, effective unit.
In broad terms, we don’t yet know who or what might be overrated about this team because so much hinges on what we see on the court in November. However, there are two clear areas that demand attention and improvement. First, the frontcourt struggled for extended stretches last season, and second, the depth off the bench did not deliver results on the level Gottlieb hoped for. Those are the facets most in need of proof and confirmation this season. It isn’t that the frontcourt and the bench are inherently flawed, but that they have more to demonstrate—both to themselves and to the fan base—than JuJu, Jazzy, and Kennedy do. That framing offers a nuanced, honest view of USC women’s basketball as the season approaches.
This reflection originally appeared on Trojans Wire. While we can’t label the WBB roster as definitively flawed, we can identify where its proven depth and consistency are least established, and where the team must prove its credibility as the season unfolds.