​USC women’s basketball is set to showcase star power this coming season with JuJu Watkins joining Jazzy Davidson and Kennedy Smith. More than just a collection of talent, the Trojans appear to have built a cohesive unit that can operate with purpose on both ends of the floor. As Cece Clay explains at the USC Women’s Basketball Media Lab, this offseason feels different. “Last year, USC had to move fast. This year, they got to move with purpose,” she says. When you look at the current roster, it’s clear what the priority was: fit. They needed players who could complement what was already on the court and address the gaps from the previous season, both defensively and offensively. And with the additions they’ve brought in, that’s exactly what they achieved.
Ryann Bennett adds stability to USC’s backcourt, and defensively she brings something the program had been seeking. She’s a disruptor who can guard on the ball, handle the ball with strong defensive instincts, and pressure opponents effectively. Her ability to bother ball-handlers creates problems without requiring the offense to run through her. USC didn’t just need another guard; they needed a guard who could fit, connect possessions, energize the team, and play without forcing the action. That is Ryann Bennett.
Inside, Pania Davis offers exactly what USC needed in terms size, athleticism, and rim protection. She brings a defensive disruption that USC had been missing. Davis can alter shots, defend the paint, move her feet, and run the floor, providing a different level of physical presence in the interior. She isn’t simply a big body; she’s a defensive piece who can space the floor and impact the game without constant offensive touches. That quality makes her an especially valuable fit for the program.
With JuJu Watkins returning and a fresh wave of talent entering USC, one of the most notable differences this season is the existing chemistry among many of the players. This isn’t a group of newcomers who will be figuring each other out in November. Jazzy Davidson has experience playing with Saniyah Hall. Kennedy Smith has built connections with both Ryann Bennett and JuJu Watkins. JuJu herself has been actively tutoring, helping, and mentoring Jazzy, even while recovering from injury. She has remained engaged—sitting on the sideline, analyzing where players like to receive the ball, studying movement, watching film, and staying connected with the team.
Sitaya Fagan’s involvement since January also matters. She’s been able to practice, watch film, learn the system, and spend time with the team off the court, cultivating chemistry that translates to on-court trust. That off-court compatibility is increasingly important in modern basketball. Recently, Sitaya Fagan and Sarah Okeke had the chance to play together in the USA vs. International game at the Nike Hoop Summit, which added another layer of familiarity. Even with those connections, USC is not walking into the season as complete strangers; they’ve already built some rapport and understanding that should help them hit the ground running.
In short, USC’s upcoming season promises more than star power. It promises a cohesive, complementary lineup that aligns talent with fit, philosophy with execution, and chemistry with competition. The combination of Watkins, Davidson, Smith, and the newly added depth, anchored by players like Bennett and Davis, forms a balanced roster capable of competing at a high level. The groundwork laid this offseason suggests USC is prepared to maximize their opportunities, leverage their strengths, and translate connection into success on the court.