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No. 11 USC is trying to find its identity as their best player, JuJu Watkins, sits out this entire season recovering from her ACL tear.
So far, they’ve done a good job of racking up wins, going 3-1 through four games.
Who they will be and how far they can realistically go this year is yet to be known, but one thing is clear: Jazzy Davidson will be a big part of their present and future plans. The freshman was the No. 1-ranked high school player according to ESPN’s rankings, and she’s started strong with the Trojans, averaging 14.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game.
USC’s 78-51 win on Tuesday over Portland was a prime example of why the future is bright with Davidson. She ended the game with a game-high 19 points, and she did it by shooting 9-for-16 from the field. Davidson also led the game with five assists and tied with fellow Trojan Kara Dunn for the most rebounds in the contest at seven.
After the game, Davidson said:
I’m just learning a lot. I’m super grateful for these experiences. I think it’s it’s really unique to be able to play all these amazing teams so early into my freshman season. So, I’m just learning from my teammates, my coaches who have been there before.“
It wasn’t just offensively where Davidson shined. Her defensive ability has also been a bright spot. She has a natural nose for the ball, knowing how to anticipate a pass and jumping into passing lanes to get steals.
Thanks to her offensive explosiveness, every time she does take a possession away from her opponent, it usually leads to a fastbreak opportunity. Midway through the second quarter was a prime example of this. Davidson stole a pass intended for Portland’s Natalie Fraley and went coast-to-coast with it, resulting in another two points for USC.
Despite having a very strong game, Davidson still has work to do. The 3-point shot hasn’t shown up during the early parts of her collegiate career. In Tuesday’s game, she went 0-for-4 from deep, and on the season, she is a woeful 16.7 percent from deep.
Still, considering the pressure to perform in Los Angeles, plus not getting to play alongside Watkins during her first year, Davidson has done as well as one could hope, and it’s one of the reasons the Trojans will still be a force this year.
Another reason USC is on track to exceed expectations is the arrival of Londynn Jones. The UCLA transfer has switched sides, and she’s been an offensive spark plug for USC. Against Portland, Jones scored 12 points off the bench, all coming from beyond the arc. Three of them happened in the fourth quarter.
Her guard play provides USC with scoring they can rely, in addition to some veteran leadership for this relatively young team. And the Jones-Davidson tandem should only get better from here.
USC is winning the games they are supposed to and developing the chemistry needed to prepare for the gauntlet that is the Big Ten. For now, though, USC can rest assured that Davidson is as good as advertised and that this is just the start of what may very well be another golden era of Trojan basketball.
