USC is off to a good start despite losing its two double-digit scorers from the 2024-25 season. JuJu Watkins, the reigning National Player of the Year, suffered an ACL tear during the last NCAA tournament and will miss the entire 2025-26 season. Kiki Iriafen went to the WNBA, getting drafted fourth overall by the Washington Mystics. USC has found other contributors early in the new season—most notably Jazzy Davidson and Londynn Jones.
The latter is a senior and transferred to USC after three seasons at UCLA. The former, meanwhile, looks like the future of USC basketball and a thrilling co-star for Watkins once she returns. Jazzy Davidson was the top recruit in her class and immediately highlighted her potential as a freshman with a big performance against eighth-ranked NC State. It was only her second game in the 2025-26 season, but she was not fazed by the moment and stepped up for USC.
Jazzy Davidson led USC to a one-point win
Davidson was one of three USC players to score in double figures against NC State. She finished the game with 21 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 5 blocks. While she didn’t score very efficiently, she hit the game-winning layup that put USC up by one point and showcased her two-way potential. She recorded more blocks than everyone else in the game combined and tied NC State’s total number of steals.
Despite being a freshman, Davidson quickly took on the role of USC’s primary scoring option. She took 23 shots, including nine 3-pointers. Kennedy Smith and Londynn Jones were next in line with 16 and 14 field-goal attempts, respectively. Smith also struggled with her efficiency, shooting only 31.3% from the field.
Nevertheless, it was a huge statement win for USC, which entered the season as number 18 in the NCAAW rankings and a ton of questions. Now, USC took down a top ten team, proving that it can be competitive even after losing Watkins to injury.
USC’s next game will be a challenge
USC gets some time off before playing its next game on Saturday, November 15. That matchup promises to be USC’s most difficult game yet. Lindsay Gottlieb’s squad will have to face Dawn Staley’s top-ranked South Carolina team.
South Carolina entered the 2025-26 season as the second-ranked team in the country, trailing only UConn. Raven Johnson and Ta’Niya Latson make for a thrilling backcourt duo. The latter may even play her way into the WNBA draft lottery. Joyce Edwards had a strong freshman season, and Tessa Johnson is an outstanding 3-point shooter. Madina Okot also looked good in her first two games with South Carolina after transferring from Mississippi State for her sophomore season.
Hanging with or even beating South Carolina will be a tall task for USC without its biggest star.