Trojans disappointed by the lack of success and inspiration from this year’s football team might want to look to the USC women’s basketball team for plenty of both.
USC’s 85-44 victory against Cal Poly Tuesday night not only boosted the Trojan winning streak to six games straight, but saw Aaliyah Gayles’ collegiate scoring debut and Juju Watkins breaking a decades-old record.
Perhaps the biggest show of dedication and drive from Tuesday night came from Gayles, a freshman who underwent intensive rehabilitation for the past year and a half, preventing her from playing. During her senior year of high school, she suffered multiple gunshot wounds while at a house party, putting her through multiple operations and forcing her to relearn how to walk.
After months of physical therapy, Gayles finally got her chance to shine on the court again.
“She has such an amazing comeback story,” said Melie Haile, who went to Spring Valley High School with Gayles. “Honestly, I’d say that it’s not even a comeback story because it’s like she never left. But her story is definitely a testimony to strength, and I couldn’t be more proud of her.”
Gayles stepped onto the court for only four minutes in the final quarter, but in that time she was able to sink her first three-pointer in the #3 Trojan jersey, making the crowd erupt.
“Her ability to shake back at such a fast pace, I think she’s changed the face of not sports, but the game forever because of her whole story,” Haile said. “It shows strength and resilience. I think she has such a bright future ahead of her, and I’m so excited to see what’s next.”
Gayles was first spotted on the court three weeks ago during pregame warmups before USC’s game against Ohio State, cheering on her teammates from the sidelines. The following week she began to play. Now with four points on the board, Gayles is just getting started.
“She maybe had a slow start in her first couple games, but you would too if you were out for two years,” said Kennedy Coats, a friend of Gayles. “I think she’s on the come up. She’s making her way back to the star that we all know that she can be, the star that USC recruited. So I’m excited.”
Gayles wasn’t the only Trojan owning the spotlight Tuesday.
Star freshman Juju Watkins continued to wow the college basketball world by scoring her fourth 30-point game this season, passing the previous single-season school record of three 30-point games as a freshman held by legend Lisa Leslie since 1990. The only catch? Leslie accomplished it over the course of 30 games.
For Watkins, it’s only been six.
“Honestly, it just goes to show that she really does live up to her name,” Haile said. “And it also is a testament to all her hard work and dedication as well because you know, that type of stuff is not easy at all. To be able to break that many records and you know, make history.”
Watkins has been named as PAC-12′s Freshman of the Week for every week she’s been on the court, with all signs pointing towards the former top recruit continuing the streak.
“She puts on a show,” Coats said. “A masterclass every game I’ve been to, breaking records every game I’ve been to, she’s a star. She’s definitely the type of player that could bring this team to a championship, so we’re excited to see that.”
With a record of 6-0, the women’s basketball team is already ranked No.6 in the Associated Press’ poll, a ranking not held by the Trojans since 1994, Leslie’s senior year. But even with both the team’s hype and the stellar stats to back it up, Gayles’ friends say the women’s basketball team is still underrated.
“I feel like women are always overlooked and just like, not really given the credit that they deserve,” Haile said. “So for our girls basketball team to be coming in as such a powerful force, people can’t help but notice. We are breaking so many records and we’re doing so well. The recognition will come if they just keep doing what they’re supposed to do.”
Since USC football ran out of gas towards the end of the season, many Trojan sports fans have been left feeling somewhat let down. The women’s basketball team could offer a hopeful alternative.
“It’s always a struggle to get women’s sports in the spotlight,” Kennedy said. “Even now, especially when women’s basketball is in this big cultural moment. These women are playing great basketball. I think everybody should tune into USC women’s basketball this year for sure.”