Friday, January 26
Los Angeles, Calif.
7:00 PM
USC
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Washington State
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Basketball
G/F
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C/F
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
Photo by: Katie Chin
No. 11/10 USC Women Return To Galen Center To Host Washington Schools
January 23, 2024 | Women's Basketball
Women of Troy take on WSU on Friday night before a meeting with Washington on Sunday.
#11/10 USC (13-3, 3-3) vs. Washington State (14-5, 3-3)Â
Galen Center | Los Angeles, Calif.
Friday, Jan. 26 | 7 p.m.Â
Series Record (since 1981-82): USC leads 56-20 (W2)
Last Meeting: W 68-65 (ot) [2/25/23 • Galen Center]
Last USC loss: 57-54 2/13/22 • Pullman]
TV: Pac-12 Washington (Talent: Tammy Blackburn & Tracy Warren)
STREAM: pac-12.com/live | STATS: http://sidearmstats.com/usc/
#11/10 USC vs. Washington (12-5, 4-2)Â
Galen Center | Los Angeles, Calif.
Sunday, Jan. 28 | 12 p.m.
Series Record (since 1986-87): USC leads 37-37 (W5)
Last Meeting: W 47-43 [2/23/23 • Galen Center]
Last USC loss: 75-66 [2/21/2020 • Seattle]
TV: Pac-12 Washington (Talent: Tammy Blackburn & Tracy Warren)
STREAM: pac-12.com/live | STATS: http://sidearmstats.com/usc/
THIS WEEKÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â
No. 11/10 USC gets back to Galen Center this week to host the Washington schools. The Trojans (13-3, 3-3 Pac-12) first face off against Washington State (14-5, 3-3) at 7 p.m. on Friday (Jan. 26) before taking on Washington (12-5, 2-4) at 12 p.m. on Sunday (Jan. 28).
TUNE IN TO THE TROJANSÂ Â Â Â Â Â
USC's games this week will both be broadcast on Pac-12 Washington, with Tammy Blackburn and Tracy Warren on the calls.
IN THE POLLSÂ Â Â Â Â Â
USC's No. 21 preseason national ranking marked the fourth time the Trojans have appeared in preseason AP and USA Today polls since 2005. It's the highest preseason ranking for USC in that span, following No. 23 in 2011, No. 22 and 2006 and No. 24 (AP) and No. 22 (USA Today) in 2005. As of the most recent AP poll (Jan. 22), USC has moved from No. 6 to rank No. 11 this week. Also this week, USC has shifted to No. 10 in the latest USA Today Coaches Poll (released Jan. 23).Â
QUICK HITSÂ Â Â Â Â Â
• With its 10-0 start to this season, USC recorded back-to-back 9-0 starts for just the second time in program history, going back to the 1983-84 (10-0) and 1984-85 (10-0) seasons.
• With wins this season over then-No. 7 Ohio State and No. 2 UCLA, USC has recorded two wins over top-10 opponents in a single season for the first time since 1993-94.
• USC was ranked in the nation's top 10 for 10 straight weeks and has been enjoying its highest national rankings since reaching No. 4 in both polls during the 1994 season.
• USC was ranked No. 6 in the national AP poll for five straight weeks before moving to No. 9 on Jan. 1 following the Trojans' loss at No. 2 UCLA.
• Rayah Marshall has taken over from Paula McGee as USC No. 3 all-time blocks leader (198 career blocks).
• JuJu Watkins has led USC in scoring in all 15 of the games she's played as a Trojan.
• Both McKenzie Forbes and Kayla Williams scored their 1,000th career points during this season.
LAST ACTIONÂ Â Â Â Â Â
USC took No. 3 Colorado down the wire and came up just short of forcing overtime in a wild battle in Boulder that saw the Buffs benefit from 10 second-half fouls against the Trojans before Colorado emerged with a 63-59 win. Colorado shot at a 50-percent clip in the first half and got help from a six-minute dry spell from the floor by the Trojans in the second quarter as the Buffs overcame a seven-point USC lead during the first half to edge ahead 32-30 at halftime. USC shot 33.3 percent from the floor in the first half and was down 20-15 on the boards, but had forced eight turnovers out of the Buffs in those first 20 minutes. As the foul count tipped against the Trojans, USC's top scorer JuJu Watkins would be dealt her fifth foul with almost six minutes left to play and USC trailing by three. The Trojans would fight back to tie it up twice down the stretch and got it to a one-point game with 15 ticks to got, but the Buffs managed to eke out the win on 44.2 percent shooting to outpace USC's 38.5 percent effort. Colorado won out on the boards 37-27 and went 13-of-16 from the free-throw line. USC hit seven threes in the game and went 12-of-15 from the stripe. Despite fouling out, Watkins led all scorers with 20 points on the day and nabbed a game-high four steals. USC also received 14 points from Taylor Bigby and 11 from McKenzie Forbes, who hit three 3-pointers apiece for the Trojans. Colorado was paced by Quay Miller's double-double on 19 points and 12 rebounds, with Jaylyn Sherron scoring 17 for the Buffs.
NOTABLE:
- USC is now 2-3 against ranked opponents this season.
- With 20 points, FR JuJu Watkins has led USC in scoring in every game she's played this season (15 games).Â
- USC was held to a season-low 27 rebounds
- Colorado had a crowd of 8,474 in attendance — the third largest crowd USC has played in front of this season.
BEATING THE BRUINSÂ Â Â Â Â Â
In front of record-setting, standing-room only crowd at Galen Center No. 9/6 USC handed No. 2 UCLA its first loss of the season, beating the rival Bruins 73-65. Freshman JuJu Watkins churned out 32 points to help USC avenge its only loss of the season. The win also marked the Trojans' second victory over a top-10 opponent this season — a feat last achieved in 1993-94. USC's defense forced 15 turnovers out of the Bruins in the first half of action as the Trojans built out a 34-19 lead at the break, turning a one-point game into a double-digit lead with a 15-0 rally in the second quarter. USC was shooting 36.4 percent by halftime to outpace UCLA's 30.4 percent, and the teams were even on the boards 18-18 and from 3-point range at 3-of-11 each. USC's JuJu Watkins and McKenzie Forbes had combined for 27 of USC's 34 first-half points. USC would stay out in front, shrugging off a 9-0 UCLA run to allow the Bruins to get no closer than four points away as the Trojans wrapped up a 73-65 victory over their rivals. USC finished up shooting 41.5 percent from the floor to UCLA's final 40 percent overall. The Bruins had a 34-33 edge on the boards but committed 22 turnovers to USC's 17. From the free-throw line, USC went 24-of 32, and UCLA was 17-of-21. Watkins led the way with her third double-double, netting 32 points with 10 rebounds and setting a USC record with a 16-of-16 effort from the free-throw line. Forbes also finished in double digits with 18 points for the Trojan cause, and Kayla Padilla added 13. UCLA was led by Charisma Osborne's 25 points, with Lauren Betts and Gabriela Jaquez scoring 10 points each, while Angela Dugalic pulled in 10 rebounds for the Bruins.
NOTABLE:
- USC's standing-room only crowd of 10,657 marked a new attendance record for any game at Galen Center.Â
- This was the first-ever regular-season basketball game between top-10 teams held at Galen Center.
- It was just the second time since 1999-00 that USC beat an undefeated team with at least 14 winsÂ
   [last: vs. #7 UCLA (70-68 in 2OT) on 1/17/2020 when the Bruins were 16-0]
- USC's win snapped UCLA's nine-game winning streak against the Trojans.
- USC has now won 17 straight home games.
- USC held UCLA to a season-low 19 points in the first half — the fewest by the Bruins in a half since 1/14/12.Â
- UCLA shot a season-low 18.1% (4-22) from 3-point range.
- With 32 points, FR JuJu Watkins has led USC in scoring in every game she's played this season (13 games).Â
- Watkins' 32 points is the most any player has scored against UCLA in a game this season.
- This was Watkins' sixth 30-point outing.
- With 10 rebounds, Watkins recorded her third double-double of her USC career.
- In going 16-of-16 from the free-throw line, Watkins set a new USC record.Â
- Watkins' 16 FT made ties for the third most in a single game in USC history.Â
- With three steals, RS SO Taylor Bigby tied her career high.
- With three steals, Â GS Kayla Padilla tied her season high.Â
- USC was missing JR Rayah Marshall and RS FR Aaliyah Gayles due to illness.
30-SOMETHINGÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
With her sixth 30-point outing on Jan. 14, JuJu Watkins added to her USC freshman record for 30-point games in a season, which she stole from Lisa Leslie and Pac McGee with her fourth just six games into Watkins' Trojan career. Back-to-back 30-point efforts vs. Cal Poly and vs. San Diego followed a 31-point outing vs. Penn State on Nov. 22, giving Watkins three consecutive 30-point games. That tied the USC record set by Cheryl Miller, who also had three straight 30-point outings during her junior 1984-85 season. With 26.1 points per game, Watkins currently ranks No. 2 in the nation in scoring.
FRESHMAN FLAIRÂ Â Â Â Â Â
JuJu Watkins continues to pile up honors as her collegiate career commences, as she grabbed Pac-12 Freshman of the Week accolades in each of her first five weeks of action as a Trojan and then added another five straight picks to blow by the previous Pac-12 record, now with 10 such selections. The first player in the conference to win four in a row, Watkins is the seventh Trojan to earn the award, and has helped make a grand total of 21 such honors for USC. On Dec. 4, Watkins became the fourth conference player to sweep the weekly awards, named Pac-12 Player of the Week along with her fourth freshman award. The only week Watkins has missed the award followed a week off of competition for the Trojans.
WEEK 11
Watkins led USC in scoring for the 14th and 15th times this season during a tough Pac-12 road trip. In a loss at No. 20 Utah, Watkins scored 26 points for the Trojans and also hauled in five rebounds and nabbed three steals. Two days later in Boulder, Watkins served up a game-high 20 points for USC in a tight loss to No. 3 Colorado. She also had a game-high four steals in that one.
WEEK 10
In front of a Galen Center record crowd of 10,657, Watkins delivered her sixth 30-point game as a Trojan and set a new USC record with a 16-of-16 effort from the free-throw line. In addition to her steady hand from the stripe and game-high 32 points, Watkins secured her third double-double in hauling in 10 rebounds for the Trojans. She also delivered three blocks and had three assists and three steals to help guide USC to a 73-65 victory in the first-ever regular-season meeting between top-10 basketball teams at Galen Center. .Â
WEEK NINE
With a game-high 28 points vs. Oregon State and 17 vs. Oregon, Watkins has led USC in scoring in all 12 games in which she has played for the 12-1 Trojans. Also in USC's 56-54 win over then-undefeated Oregon State, Watkins recorded a career-high five blocks. Two days later in a 68-54 win over Oregon, Watkins tied her career high of six assists. The week's wins over the Beavers and Ducks marked just the third time that USC has swept the Oregon schools at home in the Pac-12 era.Â
WEEK EIGHT
Watkins finished her first face-off with rival UCLA with a game-high 27 points and 11 rebounds, notching her second career double-double with the Trojans. She also served up a career-high three blocks as she helped No. 6 USC push the No. 2 Bruins to the brink in an eventual Trojan loss in Westwood. Watkins has led USC in scoring in every game she's played as a Trojan.
WEEK SEVEN
Watkins went for 23 points in USC's high-powered 93-44 win over Cal State Fullerton, extending her own streak of leading the Trojans in scoring to nine straight games. She also set new career highs in that tilt, serving up six assists and recording three blocks. Additionally, Watkins made three 3-pointers vs. the Titans to help USC set a program record with 16 made threes in that victory.Â
WEEK FIVE
Watkins' fifth straight award came after the nation's No. 2 scorer dropped 27 points and served up five assists and five steals in another 80-point outing from the Trojans as they topped visiting UC Riverside 85-53 on Sunday at Galen Center. Watkins led undefeated USC in scoring for the eighth straight game as the Trojans improved to 8-0 with Sunday's win over the Highlanders. She also matched her own career highs with two blocks and five assists, and shot a season-best 75 percent from 3-point range in going 4-of-6 from beyond the arc.
WEEK FOUR
Fresh off matching the USC record of three straight 30-point performances, Watkins claimed a sweep of the Pac-12's weekly awards. Watkins' efforts in past week helped keep the Trojans on an undefeated start to 2023-24, with home wins over Cal Poly (85-41) and San Diego (89-58). Watkins dropped 30 points in both games to add to her collection of USC records in these early goings of her Trojan career. Against Cal Poly, she recorded her fourth 30-point game and broke the freshman record held by Lisa Leslie and Paula McGee for most 30-point games in a season. It was her second straight 30-point game, making her the fourth Trojan to record back-to-back 30-point games, following Cheryl Miller, Cherie Nelson and Paula McGee. Next, with another game-high 30 points vs. San Diego, Watkins notched her third consecutive 30-point outing, matching the USC record set by Cheryl Miller with three straight 30-point outing in her junior season (1984-85). She also had a season-high five assists vs. the Toreros, and was a perfect 13-of-13 from the free-throw line in those two games.
WEEK THREE
Watkins' third selection came after helping USC stay undefeated at 5-0 with two wins at the Baha Mar Pink Flamingo Championship in the Bahamas. She scored a team-high 15 points in USC's 64-54 win over Seton Hall, and then notched her third 30-point game and first double-double of the season with 31 points and 12 rebounds in a tense win over Penn State. Watkins scored the last seven straight points of that, including the game-winning basket, as USC recorded a 71-70 comeback win. Watkins' 31-point outing matched a freshman record hit by Lisa Leslie in 1990-91 and Paula McGee in 1980-81 — two Trojan greats who recorded three 30-point outings in their freshman seasons. With 131 points scored for the 5-0 Trojans, Watkins has scored more points in her first five games as a Trojan than Cheryl Miller (104) and Lisa Leslie (109) did in their first five games at USC.
WEEK TWO
Watkins became the first USC freshman to earn Pac-12 Freshman of the Week honors in consecutive weeks with her second pick on Nov. 20. In a meeting with Le Moyne, Watkins put up 35 points, making six 3-pointers to go along with nine rebounds and six assists — all new highs for her as a Trojan. Her 35-point outing pushed her three-game total as a Trojan to 85 points — more than Cheryl Miller (67) and Lisa Leslie (64) did in their first three games at USC. It also was the second highest single-game scoring effort by a USC freshman (Cheryl Miller scored 39 vs. Northwestern on Nov. 30, 1982). Watkins' six 3-pointers made in USC's 93-42 win over the Dolphins tied for the second most threes made in a game by a Trojan. What's more, Watkins' 35 points marked her second 30-plus outing in her first three games, making Watkins the first freshman in 25 years to record multiple 30-point games in her first three games.Â
WEEK ONE
Watkins secured the first Pac-12 Freshman of the Week honors of the season along with national acclaim as USBWA Tamika Catchings Freshman of the Week. In her USC debut, Watkins had pinned up 32 points on No. 7 Ohio State, setting a program record for points scored by a freshman in a debut and marking the third most points scored in any game by a USC freshman. Watkins' 32-point effort to start her freshman season helped USC to its first season-opening victory over a ranked opponent since 1990, when a No. 25 USC team upset No. 7 Texas 88-77 (11/25/90). That effort beat out Lisa Leslie's 30-point effort in her first game as a USC freshman — recorded in that aforementioned 1990 season opener — to set a new USC record for points scored in a freshman debut. Only two other USC freshmen have scored more than 32 points in any game — Cheryl Miller (39 points vs. Northwestern, 11/30/82) and Lisa Leslie (33 points at Cal, 1/17/91). In USC's home opener days later, Watkins tallied a team-high 18 points in a 67-51 win over Florida Gulf Coast at Galen Center. That effort pushed her to 50 total points in her first two games as a Trojan — also achieved by Trojan great Cheryl Miller as a freshman in 1982.
FORBES LISTEDÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
McKenzie Forbes, who was a two-time Pac-12 Freshman of the Week while playing at Cal years ago, secured her first Pac-12 Player of the Week honors and also locked up a selection as an Ann Meyers Drysdale National Player of the Week after tallying a season-high 17 points vs. Cal State Fullerton and then more than doubling that effort with a career-high 36 points in an 85-77 road win at Long Beach State. Her 36 points was the most scored in a game by a Trojan since Mariya Moore scored 36 in 2019. Also against the Beach, Forbes made a career-high 13 free throws on a career-high 16 attempts and collected a season-high seven rebounds. She scored in double figures six straight games from 11/28-12/30. Earlier this season, Forbes picked up national accolades with a spot on the Cheryl Miller Small Forward of the Year Preseason Watch List.
TOP-10 TAKEDOWNÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
USC notched its first season-opening win over a ranked opponent since 1990 with an upset victory over No. 7 Ohio State at the Hall of Fame Series at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. That 1990 upset win came over a No. 7 Texas team, with Trojan great Lisa Leslie delivering 30 points in her freshman debut at USC. Fitting, then, that today's statement win by the Women of Troy featured a 32-point effort from true freshman JuJu Watkins. Leslie and Watkins both were named Gatorade National Players of the Year as seniors in high school before signing on to USC. Up 46-28 at halftime, USC was shooting 51.4 percent from the floor in those first 20 minutes, with JuJu Watkins holding 16 points and Rayah Marshall already at a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds by the break. Ohio State, which made just two field foals in the second quarter while winding up at 29.6 percent shooting the first half. The Buckeyes would bounce back, however, benefitting from a swaying foul count and almost matching USC's second-quarter effort in outscoring USC 30-10 in the third. A stalwart effort from the Trojans would pull them back ahead in the fourth, fending off the No. 7 Buckeyes to win the day in Vegas. USC finished out the game shooting 51 percent overall to outpace Ohio State's 40-percent effort. USC also outrebounded the Buckeyes 43-28. Led by freshman Watkins' game-high 32 points, USC also saw Marshall net her 21st career double-double with a final 18 points and 17 rebounds. Marshall also extended her impressive blocks streak to 52 straight games with two more tallied today, and added a career-high six steals. Also hitting double digits for the Trojans was McKenzie Forbes with 11 while Kaitlyn Davis added nine rebounds for USC and Watkins dished out five assists. Ohio State was paced by Jacy Sheldon's 28 points along with 16 from Taylor Thierry. Â
NOTABLE:
- USC's win over No. 7 Ohio State was its first season-opening victory over a ranked opponent since 1990, when a No. 25 USC team upset No. 7 Texas 88-77 (11/25/90).
- With 32 points, FR JuJu Watkins beat Lisa Leslie's 30-point effort in her first game as a USC freshman — recorded in that aforementioned 1990 season opener.
- Watkins' 32 points scored marked the most by a USC (or any Pac-12) freshman in any game since Alissa Pili (32 points) in 2020.
- Only two other USC freshmen have scored more than 32 points in a game — Cheryl Miller (39 points vs. Northwestern, 11/30/82) and Lisa Leslie (33 points at Cal, 1/17/91).
- JR Rayah Marshall recorded her 21st career double-double with 18 points and 17 rebounds.
- With two blocks, Marshall extended her streak to 52 straight games with at least one block.
- Marshall also recorded a career-high six steals.
- Five players scored their first points as Trojans — Watkins (32 points), GS McKenzie Forbes (11), GS Kayla Padilla (8), GS Kaitlyn Davis (4) and FR Malia Samuels (2).
- USC is now 4-4 all-time against Ohio State.
- USC's last win over a top-10 opponent was a 55-46 victory over No. 2 Stanford last season (1/13/23).
TOP TALENTÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
For just the second time in program history, USC welcomed the Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year to Troy, with the addition of freshman JuJu Watkins. Watkins follows in the footsteps of another Los Angeles native, Lisa Leslie, a Trojan great who was the Gatorade Player of the Year in 1990 on her way into USC. Watkins picked up All-Pac-12 Preseason Honorable Mention, and has been named to the Naismith and Wooden watch lists.
BLOCK LOCKÂ Â Â Â Â Â
Defense was one of USC's strengths last season with the help of Rayah Marshall, who earned 2023 All-Pac12 Team honors as she led the conference in total rebounds with 322 and was second in the nation with 98 blocks as a sophomore. Now a junior and coming off a summer playing for the USA in the FIBA Women's AmeriCup, Marshall's shot blocking and rebounding ability coupled with her newfound leadership has made her an essential role player for the Women of Troy as she stands tall in the paint as a center. After tacking up her 21st career double-double in USC's season opener, Marshall also added to her impressive blocks streak, which extended to 53 straight games until being interrupted on Nov. 13. Still, she enters this week ranked No. 23 in the nation with a mark of 2.23 blocks per game, and as of Jan. 19 she has recorded at least one block in 63 of the last 64 games in which she's played. After adding two blocks to her tally on Jan. 5, Marshall took over as USC's No. 3 all-time shot blocker — a spot that had been held by Trojan great Paula McGee.
VETERAN STATUSÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
In addition to Marshall, USC boasts a strong group of returners from last season's success. Now a senior, guard Kayla Williams picked up 2023 Pac-12 All-Defensive Honorable Mention, having started all 31 games as a reliable backcourt defender for the team. Also back for more in 2023-24 is redshirt sophomore guard Taylor Bigby, who brings length and sharpshooting to the perimeter, where fifth-year guard India Otto also is a proven threat. Now with two years under her belt at USC, 6-6 center Clarice Akunwafo is back to help man the paint as a junior.
DEPTH CHARGEÂ Â Â Â Â Â
Freshman Malia Samuels comes into the season having been named Washington's 2022 3A Player of the Year, adding point guard savvy and defensive talents to the squad. USC's guard depth is intensified as redshirt sophomore guard Dominique Darius steps on the court this season for her first action as a Trojan following her midseason transfer from UCLA. And after redshirting her first season, guard Aaliyah Gayles made her Trojan debut as well this year.
GRAD GREATSÂ Â Â Â Â Â
With a proven eye for talent, Lindsay Gottlieb added four graduate transfers to the 2023-24 Trojan roster. Three — Kaitlyn Davis, McKenzie Forbes and Kayla Padilla — were standouts in the Ivy League, and one — Roxane Makolo — boasts international experience with Team Canada. A proven point guard in her time at Penn, Padilla joins the Trojans as a three-time All-Ivy First Team selection. Her speed and basketball IQ will be an asset to the team for the upcoming season. Marshall and Akunwafo will be supported in the paint with Columbia forward Davis, whose strength and agility make her extremely difficult to defend. With depth comes versatility as Forbes returns to her home state after three strong years at Harvard, where she earned 2022 All-Ivy Second Team honors. She also was recently selected to the Cheryl Miller Small Forward of the Year Preseason Watch List.
WNBA DRAFT DOUBLEÂ Â Â Â Â Â
USC grad students Kadi Sissoko and Okako Adika were picked back-to-back in the 2023 WNBA Draft Third Round as the 29th and 30th overall players chosen, respectively. A 6-2 forward from Paris, France, Sissoko was the Trojans' top scorer season and was selected by the Phoenix Mercury. A full-time starter from Holster, Denmark, Adika — a 6-0 guard — was a defensive lock who came up big for the Trojans and has been picked by the New York Liberty. It was the first time since 2012 and just the third time ever that USC has had two players selected in a WNBA Draft. They followed 2012 picks for Jacki Gemelos and Briana Gilbreath, and 1997 draftees Pam McGee and Tina Thompson. Adika was waived for the 2023 season, while Sissoko played the full season with the Mercury. Sissoko is currently playing in France with Flammes Carolo Basket Ardennes
LAST SEASONÂ Â Â Â Â Â
During the 2022-23 season, the USC women went 11-7 in conference play and finished 21-10 overall. Succeeding in arguably one of the most competitive conferences, the Women of Troy were able to earn a bid to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2014, when USC won the Pac-12 Tournament title. USC's 2023 NCAA appearance marked its first at-large bid into the tourney since 2006. The Trojan defense set a program record last season in holding opponents to just 35.4 percent shooting from the floor.Â
SIGNED!        Â
Six standouts from six different states have signed on to join head coach Lindsay Gottlieb's Women of Troy for 2024, including the top player out of California for the second straight year. Three members of USC's incoming class — Kennedy Smith, Kayley Heckel and Avery Howell — have been named to the Jersey Mike's Naismith Girl's High School Player of the Year Watch List. As of Nov. 21, ESPN ranked USC's incoming 2024 class as No. 1 in the nation.
KENNEDY SMITH | 6-1 G | Etiwanda, Calif. (Etiwanda HS)
Kennedy Smith stands as the No. 6 recruit in the nation as she turns to a career as a Trojan. An all-state first-teamer as a junior, Smith was also selected to the 2023 Los Angeles Times All-Star Team and was a Nike EYBL Champion with CalSparks. She has helped Etiwanda to a 2023 Open Division State Championship and the 2022 Southern Section title and also was named the 2023 Press Enterprise Inland Empire Girls Basketball Player of the Year.
KAYLEIGH HECKEL | 5-9 PG | Port Chester, N.Y. (Long Island Lutheran HS)
Already with 2,000 points in her prep career, Kayleigh Heckel helped lead her high school squad to a national runner-up finish in her junior season and was named the MaxPreps New York Player of the Year. Ranked No. 27 in the nation overall, she also is a 2022 Nike TOC Champion and plays AAU ball with Exodus NYC.
RIAN FORESTIER | 5-11 G | San Antonio, Texas (Brandeis HS)
Ranked as the top guard in Texas, Rian Forestier is a noted 3-point threat and a regular on all-state, all-region and all-district honor rolls. District MVP as a junior, she was the All-Area and All-District Newcomer of the Year as a freshman at Brandeis High in San Antonio. Also committed to community service, Forestier founded a non-profit called 4WARD, which donates new basketball shoes to middle school girls in the San Antonio region.Â
AVERY HOWELL | 6-0 G | Boise, Idaho (Boise HS)
The 2023 Gatorade Idaho Player of the Year, Avery Howell stands ranked No. 23 in the nation and was a participant in the Wooten Top 150. Also an invitee to the Canadian National Team's training camp in 2023, Howell is a highly touted guard who set single-season records in points and rebounds in her junior season at Boise High, which finished third at the 2023 state championships. She participate in the Adidas 3SSB Eurocamp and was one of the top scorers and rebounders on the Adidas Circuit in the summer.
LAURA WILLIAMS | 6-1 F | Fairfax, Va. (St. Paul VI Catholic HS)
The top-ranked player in Virginia, Laura Williams has helped St. Paul VI continue its run of state titles. A top-100 player in ESPN's 2024 class, Williams averaged 11.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per game with Fairfax Stars AAU on the 2023 summer Nike EYBL circuit soon after earning First Team All-State honors.Â
VIVIAN IWUCHUKWU | 6-3 F | Montverde, Fla. (Montverde Academy)
Ranked as the No. 47 recruit in the nation by ESPNW, Iwuchukwu helped Montverde to a 26-1 record last season, claiming back-to-back GEICO High School Nationals titles in her sophomore and junior years. The sister of current USC men's player, Vince, she is a 2022 Adidas Circuit runner-up and was named to the 2023 Nike EYBL All-Tournament Team, playing club for Essence AAU. •
Â
Galen Center | Los Angeles, Calif.
Friday, Jan. 26 | 7 p.m.Â
Series Record (since 1981-82): USC leads 56-20 (W2)
Last Meeting: W 68-65 (ot) [2/25/23 • Galen Center]
Last USC loss: 57-54 2/13/22 • Pullman]
TV: Pac-12 Washington (Talent: Tammy Blackburn & Tracy Warren)
STREAM: pac-12.com/live | STATS: http://sidearmstats.com/usc/
#11/10 USC vs. Washington (12-5, 4-2)Â
Galen Center | Los Angeles, Calif.
Sunday, Jan. 28 | 12 p.m.
Series Record (since 1986-87): USC leads 37-37 (W5)
Last Meeting: W 47-43 [2/23/23 • Galen Center]
Last USC loss: 75-66 [2/21/2020 • Seattle]
TV: Pac-12 Washington (Talent: Tammy Blackburn & Tracy Warren)
STREAM: pac-12.com/live | STATS: http://sidearmstats.com/usc/
THIS WEEKÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â
No. 11/10 USC gets back to Galen Center this week to host the Washington schools. The Trojans (13-3, 3-3 Pac-12) first face off against Washington State (14-5, 3-3) at 7 p.m. on Friday (Jan. 26) before taking on Washington (12-5, 2-4) at 12 p.m. on Sunday (Jan. 28).
TUNE IN TO THE TROJANSÂ Â Â Â Â Â
USC's games this week will both be broadcast on Pac-12 Washington, with Tammy Blackburn and Tracy Warren on the calls.
IN THE POLLSÂ Â Â Â Â Â
USC's No. 21 preseason national ranking marked the fourth time the Trojans have appeared in preseason AP and USA Today polls since 2005. It's the highest preseason ranking for USC in that span, following No. 23 in 2011, No. 22 and 2006 and No. 24 (AP) and No. 22 (USA Today) in 2005. As of the most recent AP poll (Jan. 22), USC has moved from No. 6 to rank No. 11 this week. Also this week, USC has shifted to No. 10 in the latest USA Today Coaches Poll (released Jan. 23).Â
QUICK HITSÂ Â Â Â Â Â
• With its 10-0 start to this season, USC recorded back-to-back 9-0 starts for just the second time in program history, going back to the 1983-84 (10-0) and 1984-85 (10-0) seasons.
• With wins this season over then-No. 7 Ohio State and No. 2 UCLA, USC has recorded two wins over top-10 opponents in a single season for the first time since 1993-94.
• USC was ranked in the nation's top 10 for 10 straight weeks and has been enjoying its highest national rankings since reaching No. 4 in both polls during the 1994 season.
• USC was ranked No. 6 in the national AP poll for five straight weeks before moving to No. 9 on Jan. 1 following the Trojans' loss at No. 2 UCLA.
• Rayah Marshall has taken over from Paula McGee as USC No. 3 all-time blocks leader (198 career blocks).
• JuJu Watkins has led USC in scoring in all 15 of the games she's played as a Trojan.
• Both McKenzie Forbes and Kayla Williams scored their 1,000th career points during this season.
LAST ACTIONÂ Â Â Â Â Â
USC took No. 3 Colorado down the wire and came up just short of forcing overtime in a wild battle in Boulder that saw the Buffs benefit from 10 second-half fouls against the Trojans before Colorado emerged with a 63-59 win. Colorado shot at a 50-percent clip in the first half and got help from a six-minute dry spell from the floor by the Trojans in the second quarter as the Buffs overcame a seven-point USC lead during the first half to edge ahead 32-30 at halftime. USC shot 33.3 percent from the floor in the first half and was down 20-15 on the boards, but had forced eight turnovers out of the Buffs in those first 20 minutes. As the foul count tipped against the Trojans, USC's top scorer JuJu Watkins would be dealt her fifth foul with almost six minutes left to play and USC trailing by three. The Trojans would fight back to tie it up twice down the stretch and got it to a one-point game with 15 ticks to got, but the Buffs managed to eke out the win on 44.2 percent shooting to outpace USC's 38.5 percent effort. Colorado won out on the boards 37-27 and went 13-of-16 from the free-throw line. USC hit seven threes in the game and went 12-of-15 from the stripe. Despite fouling out, Watkins led all scorers with 20 points on the day and nabbed a game-high four steals. USC also received 14 points from Taylor Bigby and 11 from McKenzie Forbes, who hit three 3-pointers apiece for the Trojans. Colorado was paced by Quay Miller's double-double on 19 points and 12 rebounds, with Jaylyn Sherron scoring 17 for the Buffs.
NOTABLE:
- USC is now 2-3 against ranked opponents this season.
- With 20 points, FR JuJu Watkins has led USC in scoring in every game she's played this season (15 games).Â
- USC was held to a season-low 27 rebounds
- Colorado had a crowd of 8,474 in attendance — the third largest crowd USC has played in front of this season.
BEATING THE BRUINSÂ Â Â Â Â Â
In front of record-setting, standing-room only crowd at Galen Center No. 9/6 USC handed No. 2 UCLA its first loss of the season, beating the rival Bruins 73-65. Freshman JuJu Watkins churned out 32 points to help USC avenge its only loss of the season. The win also marked the Trojans' second victory over a top-10 opponent this season — a feat last achieved in 1993-94. USC's defense forced 15 turnovers out of the Bruins in the first half of action as the Trojans built out a 34-19 lead at the break, turning a one-point game into a double-digit lead with a 15-0 rally in the second quarter. USC was shooting 36.4 percent by halftime to outpace UCLA's 30.4 percent, and the teams were even on the boards 18-18 and from 3-point range at 3-of-11 each. USC's JuJu Watkins and McKenzie Forbes had combined for 27 of USC's 34 first-half points. USC would stay out in front, shrugging off a 9-0 UCLA run to allow the Bruins to get no closer than four points away as the Trojans wrapped up a 73-65 victory over their rivals. USC finished up shooting 41.5 percent from the floor to UCLA's final 40 percent overall. The Bruins had a 34-33 edge on the boards but committed 22 turnovers to USC's 17. From the free-throw line, USC went 24-of 32, and UCLA was 17-of-21. Watkins led the way with her third double-double, netting 32 points with 10 rebounds and setting a USC record with a 16-of-16 effort from the free-throw line. Forbes also finished in double digits with 18 points for the Trojan cause, and Kayla Padilla added 13. UCLA was led by Charisma Osborne's 25 points, with Lauren Betts and Gabriela Jaquez scoring 10 points each, while Angela Dugalic pulled in 10 rebounds for the Bruins.
NOTABLE:
- USC's standing-room only crowd of 10,657 marked a new attendance record for any game at Galen Center.Â
- This was the first-ever regular-season basketball game between top-10 teams held at Galen Center.
- It was just the second time since 1999-00 that USC beat an undefeated team with at least 14 winsÂ
   [last: vs. #7 UCLA (70-68 in 2OT) on 1/17/2020 when the Bruins were 16-0]
- USC's win snapped UCLA's nine-game winning streak against the Trojans.
- USC has now won 17 straight home games.
- USC held UCLA to a season-low 19 points in the first half — the fewest by the Bruins in a half since 1/14/12.Â
- UCLA shot a season-low 18.1% (4-22) from 3-point range.
- With 32 points, FR JuJu Watkins has led USC in scoring in every game she's played this season (13 games).Â
- Watkins' 32 points is the most any player has scored against UCLA in a game this season.
- This was Watkins' sixth 30-point outing.
- With 10 rebounds, Watkins recorded her third double-double of her USC career.
- In going 16-of-16 from the free-throw line, Watkins set a new USC record.Â
- Watkins' 16 FT made ties for the third most in a single game in USC history.Â
- With three steals, RS SO Taylor Bigby tied her career high.
- With three steals, Â GS Kayla Padilla tied her season high.Â
- USC was missing JR Rayah Marshall and RS FR Aaliyah Gayles due to illness.
30-SOMETHINGÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
With her sixth 30-point outing on Jan. 14, JuJu Watkins added to her USC freshman record for 30-point games in a season, which she stole from Lisa Leslie and Pac McGee with her fourth just six games into Watkins' Trojan career. Back-to-back 30-point efforts vs. Cal Poly and vs. San Diego followed a 31-point outing vs. Penn State on Nov. 22, giving Watkins three consecutive 30-point games. That tied the USC record set by Cheryl Miller, who also had three straight 30-point outings during her junior 1984-85 season. With 26.1 points per game, Watkins currently ranks No. 2 in the nation in scoring.
FRESHMAN FLAIRÂ Â Â Â Â Â
JuJu Watkins continues to pile up honors as her collegiate career commences, as she grabbed Pac-12 Freshman of the Week accolades in each of her first five weeks of action as a Trojan and then added another five straight picks to blow by the previous Pac-12 record, now with 10 such selections. The first player in the conference to win four in a row, Watkins is the seventh Trojan to earn the award, and has helped make a grand total of 21 such honors for USC. On Dec. 4, Watkins became the fourth conference player to sweep the weekly awards, named Pac-12 Player of the Week along with her fourth freshman award. The only week Watkins has missed the award followed a week off of competition for the Trojans.
WEEK 11
Watkins led USC in scoring for the 14th and 15th times this season during a tough Pac-12 road trip. In a loss at No. 20 Utah, Watkins scored 26 points for the Trojans and also hauled in five rebounds and nabbed three steals. Two days later in Boulder, Watkins served up a game-high 20 points for USC in a tight loss to No. 3 Colorado. She also had a game-high four steals in that one.
WEEK 10
In front of a Galen Center record crowd of 10,657, Watkins delivered her sixth 30-point game as a Trojan and set a new USC record with a 16-of-16 effort from the free-throw line. In addition to her steady hand from the stripe and game-high 32 points, Watkins secured her third double-double in hauling in 10 rebounds for the Trojans. She also delivered three blocks and had three assists and three steals to help guide USC to a 73-65 victory in the first-ever regular-season meeting between top-10 basketball teams at Galen Center. .Â
WEEK NINE
With a game-high 28 points vs. Oregon State and 17 vs. Oregon, Watkins has led USC in scoring in all 12 games in which she has played for the 12-1 Trojans. Also in USC's 56-54 win over then-undefeated Oregon State, Watkins recorded a career-high five blocks. Two days later in a 68-54 win over Oregon, Watkins tied her career high of six assists. The week's wins over the Beavers and Ducks marked just the third time that USC has swept the Oregon schools at home in the Pac-12 era.Â
WEEK EIGHT
Watkins finished her first face-off with rival UCLA with a game-high 27 points and 11 rebounds, notching her second career double-double with the Trojans. She also served up a career-high three blocks as she helped No. 6 USC push the No. 2 Bruins to the brink in an eventual Trojan loss in Westwood. Watkins has led USC in scoring in every game she's played as a Trojan.
WEEK SEVEN
Watkins went for 23 points in USC's high-powered 93-44 win over Cal State Fullerton, extending her own streak of leading the Trojans in scoring to nine straight games. She also set new career highs in that tilt, serving up six assists and recording three blocks. Additionally, Watkins made three 3-pointers vs. the Titans to help USC set a program record with 16 made threes in that victory.Â
WEEK FIVE
Watkins' fifth straight award came after the nation's No. 2 scorer dropped 27 points and served up five assists and five steals in another 80-point outing from the Trojans as they topped visiting UC Riverside 85-53 on Sunday at Galen Center. Watkins led undefeated USC in scoring for the eighth straight game as the Trojans improved to 8-0 with Sunday's win over the Highlanders. She also matched her own career highs with two blocks and five assists, and shot a season-best 75 percent from 3-point range in going 4-of-6 from beyond the arc.
WEEK FOUR
Fresh off matching the USC record of three straight 30-point performances, Watkins claimed a sweep of the Pac-12's weekly awards. Watkins' efforts in past week helped keep the Trojans on an undefeated start to 2023-24, with home wins over Cal Poly (85-41) and San Diego (89-58). Watkins dropped 30 points in both games to add to her collection of USC records in these early goings of her Trojan career. Against Cal Poly, she recorded her fourth 30-point game and broke the freshman record held by Lisa Leslie and Paula McGee for most 30-point games in a season. It was her second straight 30-point game, making her the fourth Trojan to record back-to-back 30-point games, following Cheryl Miller, Cherie Nelson and Paula McGee. Next, with another game-high 30 points vs. San Diego, Watkins notched her third consecutive 30-point outing, matching the USC record set by Cheryl Miller with three straight 30-point outing in her junior season (1984-85). She also had a season-high five assists vs. the Toreros, and was a perfect 13-of-13 from the free-throw line in those two games.
WEEK THREE
Watkins' third selection came after helping USC stay undefeated at 5-0 with two wins at the Baha Mar Pink Flamingo Championship in the Bahamas. She scored a team-high 15 points in USC's 64-54 win over Seton Hall, and then notched her third 30-point game and first double-double of the season with 31 points and 12 rebounds in a tense win over Penn State. Watkins scored the last seven straight points of that, including the game-winning basket, as USC recorded a 71-70 comeback win. Watkins' 31-point outing matched a freshman record hit by Lisa Leslie in 1990-91 and Paula McGee in 1980-81 — two Trojan greats who recorded three 30-point outings in their freshman seasons. With 131 points scored for the 5-0 Trojans, Watkins has scored more points in her first five games as a Trojan than Cheryl Miller (104) and Lisa Leslie (109) did in their first five games at USC.
WEEK TWO
Watkins became the first USC freshman to earn Pac-12 Freshman of the Week honors in consecutive weeks with her second pick on Nov. 20. In a meeting with Le Moyne, Watkins put up 35 points, making six 3-pointers to go along with nine rebounds and six assists — all new highs for her as a Trojan. Her 35-point outing pushed her three-game total as a Trojan to 85 points — more than Cheryl Miller (67) and Lisa Leslie (64) did in their first three games at USC. It also was the second highest single-game scoring effort by a USC freshman (Cheryl Miller scored 39 vs. Northwestern on Nov. 30, 1982). Watkins' six 3-pointers made in USC's 93-42 win over the Dolphins tied for the second most threes made in a game by a Trojan. What's more, Watkins' 35 points marked her second 30-plus outing in her first three games, making Watkins the first freshman in 25 years to record multiple 30-point games in her first three games.Â
WEEK ONE
Watkins secured the first Pac-12 Freshman of the Week honors of the season along with national acclaim as USBWA Tamika Catchings Freshman of the Week. In her USC debut, Watkins had pinned up 32 points on No. 7 Ohio State, setting a program record for points scored by a freshman in a debut and marking the third most points scored in any game by a USC freshman. Watkins' 32-point effort to start her freshman season helped USC to its first season-opening victory over a ranked opponent since 1990, when a No. 25 USC team upset No. 7 Texas 88-77 (11/25/90). That effort beat out Lisa Leslie's 30-point effort in her first game as a USC freshman — recorded in that aforementioned 1990 season opener — to set a new USC record for points scored in a freshman debut. Only two other USC freshmen have scored more than 32 points in any game — Cheryl Miller (39 points vs. Northwestern, 11/30/82) and Lisa Leslie (33 points at Cal, 1/17/91). In USC's home opener days later, Watkins tallied a team-high 18 points in a 67-51 win over Florida Gulf Coast at Galen Center. That effort pushed her to 50 total points in her first two games as a Trojan — also achieved by Trojan great Cheryl Miller as a freshman in 1982.
FORBES LISTEDÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
McKenzie Forbes, who was a two-time Pac-12 Freshman of the Week while playing at Cal years ago, secured her first Pac-12 Player of the Week honors and also locked up a selection as an Ann Meyers Drysdale National Player of the Week after tallying a season-high 17 points vs. Cal State Fullerton and then more than doubling that effort with a career-high 36 points in an 85-77 road win at Long Beach State. Her 36 points was the most scored in a game by a Trojan since Mariya Moore scored 36 in 2019. Also against the Beach, Forbes made a career-high 13 free throws on a career-high 16 attempts and collected a season-high seven rebounds. She scored in double figures six straight games from 11/28-12/30. Earlier this season, Forbes picked up national accolades with a spot on the Cheryl Miller Small Forward of the Year Preseason Watch List.
TOP-10 TAKEDOWNÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
USC notched its first season-opening win over a ranked opponent since 1990 with an upset victory over No. 7 Ohio State at the Hall of Fame Series at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. That 1990 upset win came over a No. 7 Texas team, with Trojan great Lisa Leslie delivering 30 points in her freshman debut at USC. Fitting, then, that today's statement win by the Women of Troy featured a 32-point effort from true freshman JuJu Watkins. Leslie and Watkins both were named Gatorade National Players of the Year as seniors in high school before signing on to USC. Up 46-28 at halftime, USC was shooting 51.4 percent from the floor in those first 20 minutes, with JuJu Watkins holding 16 points and Rayah Marshall already at a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds by the break. Ohio State, which made just two field foals in the second quarter while winding up at 29.6 percent shooting the first half. The Buckeyes would bounce back, however, benefitting from a swaying foul count and almost matching USC's second-quarter effort in outscoring USC 30-10 in the third. A stalwart effort from the Trojans would pull them back ahead in the fourth, fending off the No. 7 Buckeyes to win the day in Vegas. USC finished out the game shooting 51 percent overall to outpace Ohio State's 40-percent effort. USC also outrebounded the Buckeyes 43-28. Led by freshman Watkins' game-high 32 points, USC also saw Marshall net her 21st career double-double with a final 18 points and 17 rebounds. Marshall also extended her impressive blocks streak to 52 straight games with two more tallied today, and added a career-high six steals. Also hitting double digits for the Trojans was McKenzie Forbes with 11 while Kaitlyn Davis added nine rebounds for USC and Watkins dished out five assists. Ohio State was paced by Jacy Sheldon's 28 points along with 16 from Taylor Thierry. Â
NOTABLE:
- USC's win over No. 7 Ohio State was its first season-opening victory over a ranked opponent since 1990, when a No. 25 USC team upset No. 7 Texas 88-77 (11/25/90).
- With 32 points, FR JuJu Watkins beat Lisa Leslie's 30-point effort in her first game as a USC freshman — recorded in that aforementioned 1990 season opener.
- Watkins' 32 points scored marked the most by a USC (or any Pac-12) freshman in any game since Alissa Pili (32 points) in 2020.
- Only two other USC freshmen have scored more than 32 points in a game — Cheryl Miller (39 points vs. Northwestern, 11/30/82) and Lisa Leslie (33 points at Cal, 1/17/91).
- JR Rayah Marshall recorded her 21st career double-double with 18 points and 17 rebounds.
- With two blocks, Marshall extended her streak to 52 straight games with at least one block.
- Marshall also recorded a career-high six steals.
- Five players scored their first points as Trojans — Watkins (32 points), GS McKenzie Forbes (11), GS Kayla Padilla (8), GS Kaitlyn Davis (4) and FR Malia Samuels (2).
- USC is now 4-4 all-time against Ohio State.
- USC's last win over a top-10 opponent was a 55-46 victory over No. 2 Stanford last season (1/13/23).
TOP TALENTÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
For just the second time in program history, USC welcomed the Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year to Troy, with the addition of freshman JuJu Watkins. Watkins follows in the footsteps of another Los Angeles native, Lisa Leslie, a Trojan great who was the Gatorade Player of the Year in 1990 on her way into USC. Watkins picked up All-Pac-12 Preseason Honorable Mention, and has been named to the Naismith and Wooden watch lists.
BLOCK LOCKÂ Â Â Â Â Â
Defense was one of USC's strengths last season with the help of Rayah Marshall, who earned 2023 All-Pac12 Team honors as she led the conference in total rebounds with 322 and was second in the nation with 98 blocks as a sophomore. Now a junior and coming off a summer playing for the USA in the FIBA Women's AmeriCup, Marshall's shot blocking and rebounding ability coupled with her newfound leadership has made her an essential role player for the Women of Troy as she stands tall in the paint as a center. After tacking up her 21st career double-double in USC's season opener, Marshall also added to her impressive blocks streak, which extended to 53 straight games until being interrupted on Nov. 13. Still, she enters this week ranked No. 23 in the nation with a mark of 2.23 blocks per game, and as of Jan. 19 she has recorded at least one block in 63 of the last 64 games in which she's played. After adding two blocks to her tally on Jan. 5, Marshall took over as USC's No. 3 all-time shot blocker — a spot that had been held by Trojan great Paula McGee.
VETERAN STATUSÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
In addition to Marshall, USC boasts a strong group of returners from last season's success. Now a senior, guard Kayla Williams picked up 2023 Pac-12 All-Defensive Honorable Mention, having started all 31 games as a reliable backcourt defender for the team. Also back for more in 2023-24 is redshirt sophomore guard Taylor Bigby, who brings length and sharpshooting to the perimeter, where fifth-year guard India Otto also is a proven threat. Now with two years under her belt at USC, 6-6 center Clarice Akunwafo is back to help man the paint as a junior.
DEPTH CHARGEÂ Â Â Â Â Â
Freshman Malia Samuels comes into the season having been named Washington's 2022 3A Player of the Year, adding point guard savvy and defensive talents to the squad. USC's guard depth is intensified as redshirt sophomore guard Dominique Darius steps on the court this season for her first action as a Trojan following her midseason transfer from UCLA. And after redshirting her first season, guard Aaliyah Gayles made her Trojan debut as well this year.
GRAD GREATSÂ Â Â Â Â Â
With a proven eye for talent, Lindsay Gottlieb added four graduate transfers to the 2023-24 Trojan roster. Three — Kaitlyn Davis, McKenzie Forbes and Kayla Padilla — were standouts in the Ivy League, and one — Roxane Makolo — boasts international experience with Team Canada. A proven point guard in her time at Penn, Padilla joins the Trojans as a three-time All-Ivy First Team selection. Her speed and basketball IQ will be an asset to the team for the upcoming season. Marshall and Akunwafo will be supported in the paint with Columbia forward Davis, whose strength and agility make her extremely difficult to defend. With depth comes versatility as Forbes returns to her home state after three strong years at Harvard, where she earned 2022 All-Ivy Second Team honors. She also was recently selected to the Cheryl Miller Small Forward of the Year Preseason Watch List.
WNBA DRAFT DOUBLEÂ Â Â Â Â Â
USC grad students Kadi Sissoko and Okako Adika were picked back-to-back in the 2023 WNBA Draft Third Round as the 29th and 30th overall players chosen, respectively. A 6-2 forward from Paris, France, Sissoko was the Trojans' top scorer season and was selected by the Phoenix Mercury. A full-time starter from Holster, Denmark, Adika — a 6-0 guard — was a defensive lock who came up big for the Trojans and has been picked by the New York Liberty. It was the first time since 2012 and just the third time ever that USC has had two players selected in a WNBA Draft. They followed 2012 picks for Jacki Gemelos and Briana Gilbreath, and 1997 draftees Pam McGee and Tina Thompson. Adika was waived for the 2023 season, while Sissoko played the full season with the Mercury. Sissoko is currently playing in France with Flammes Carolo Basket Ardennes
LAST SEASONÂ Â Â Â Â Â
During the 2022-23 season, the USC women went 11-7 in conference play and finished 21-10 overall. Succeeding in arguably one of the most competitive conferences, the Women of Troy were able to earn a bid to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2014, when USC won the Pac-12 Tournament title. USC's 2023 NCAA appearance marked its first at-large bid into the tourney since 2006. The Trojan defense set a program record last season in holding opponents to just 35.4 percent shooting from the floor.Â
SIGNED!        Â
Six standouts from six different states have signed on to join head coach Lindsay Gottlieb's Women of Troy for 2024, including the top player out of California for the second straight year. Three members of USC's incoming class — Kennedy Smith, Kayley Heckel and Avery Howell — have been named to the Jersey Mike's Naismith Girl's High School Player of the Year Watch List. As of Nov. 21, ESPN ranked USC's incoming 2024 class as No. 1 in the nation.
KENNEDY SMITH | 6-1 G | Etiwanda, Calif. (Etiwanda HS)
Kennedy Smith stands as the No. 6 recruit in the nation as she turns to a career as a Trojan. An all-state first-teamer as a junior, Smith was also selected to the 2023 Los Angeles Times All-Star Team and was a Nike EYBL Champion with CalSparks. She has helped Etiwanda to a 2023 Open Division State Championship and the 2022 Southern Section title and also was named the 2023 Press Enterprise Inland Empire Girls Basketball Player of the Year.
KAYLEIGH HECKEL | 5-9 PG | Port Chester, N.Y. (Long Island Lutheran HS)
Already with 2,000 points in her prep career, Kayleigh Heckel helped lead her high school squad to a national runner-up finish in her junior season and was named the MaxPreps New York Player of the Year. Ranked No. 27 in the nation overall, she also is a 2022 Nike TOC Champion and plays AAU ball with Exodus NYC.
RIAN FORESTIER | 5-11 G | San Antonio, Texas (Brandeis HS)
Ranked as the top guard in Texas, Rian Forestier is a noted 3-point threat and a regular on all-state, all-region and all-district honor rolls. District MVP as a junior, she was the All-Area and All-District Newcomer of the Year as a freshman at Brandeis High in San Antonio. Also committed to community service, Forestier founded a non-profit called 4WARD, which donates new basketball shoes to middle school girls in the San Antonio region.Â
AVERY HOWELL | 6-0 G | Boise, Idaho (Boise HS)
The 2023 Gatorade Idaho Player of the Year, Avery Howell stands ranked No. 23 in the nation and was a participant in the Wooten Top 150. Also an invitee to the Canadian National Team's training camp in 2023, Howell is a highly touted guard who set single-season records in points and rebounds in her junior season at Boise High, which finished third at the 2023 state championships. She participate in the Adidas 3SSB Eurocamp and was one of the top scorers and rebounders on the Adidas Circuit in the summer.
LAURA WILLIAMS | 6-1 F | Fairfax, Va. (St. Paul VI Catholic HS)
The top-ranked player in Virginia, Laura Williams has helped St. Paul VI continue its run of state titles. A top-100 player in ESPN's 2024 class, Williams averaged 11.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per game with Fairfax Stars AAU on the 2023 summer Nike EYBL circuit soon after earning First Team All-State honors.Â
VIVIAN IWUCHUKWU | 6-3 F | Montverde, Fla. (Montverde Academy)
Ranked as the No. 47 recruit in the nation by ESPNW, Iwuchukwu helped Montverde to a 26-1 record last season, claiming back-to-back GEICO High School Nationals titles in her sophomore and junior years. The sister of current USC men's player, Vince, she is a 2022 Adidas Circuit runner-up and was named to the 2023 Nike EYBL All-Tournament Team, playing club for Essence AAU. •
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USC WBB's Lindsay Gottlieb, Rayah Marshall and Talia von Oelhoffen | Trojan Press Conference
Monday, March 31
USC WBB heads to the Elite 8, defeats Kansas State in Sweet 16 | Rapid Reaction
Saturday, March 29
Kennedy Smith on USC WBB heading to the Elite Eight, Trojan freshmen getting the job done
Saturday, March 29
USC WBB Defeats Kansas State in Sweet 16, Advances to Elite Eight | Trojan Press Conference
Saturday, March 29
