The winds of change are sweeping through USC—and not in the way anyone expected! Fresh off a remarkable 31-4 season, the USC Trojans women’s basketball team was riding high. You know what followed. But just when Juju Watkins’ injury was believed to affect the team, the freshmen stepped up. Avery Howell dropped back-to-back 18-point performances, while Kennedy Smith and Kayleigh Heckel supported on both ends of the floor. Together, they pushed through to the Elite Eight. But now, just weeks removed from that hard-fought tournament run, things are beginning to unravel.

First came Howell’s announcement. The freshman guard, who many saw as a crucial piece of USC’s future, declared she was entering the transfer portal. The news stung, but fans held onto hope that the core could still hold strong. But, then came the second blow.

It’s Heckel leaving too! It was as if Lindsey Gotlieb’s words were fading into the background. “They’re competitors, they’re winners, they’re ready for any stage,” the HC said of her freshman class after the season. “I know they’re going to keep getting better, which is unbelievable.” But here we are, with just one left of the 2025 class.

According to reports, Kayleigh Heckel is now also planning to leave the program. “Sources tell me Kayleigh Heckel intends to enter the transfer portal out of USC,” shared national scout and writer for Prep Girl Hoops, E Jay Arrow.

The 5’9” guard from Long Island Lutheran came to USC as one of the most decorated recruits in the country. A McDonald’s All-American and two-time MaxPreps All-American, she had built a reputation as a two-way player. Her high school resume included over 2,400 points, 500 rebounds, 500 assists, and 500 steals—not to mention a state title and a national runner-up finish.

But Heckel believes she has been undervalued for a large part of her career, been viewed as the underdog. Don’t get us wrong; she addresses it with grace and takes it as an opportunity to preach ‘believe in yourself’ mantra. But entering USC, she was made to believe otherwise.

“The coaches always made it a point just telling me how much they believed in me. And I feel like that was something that was really important to me,” she told Autumn Jonshon, speaking of why she committed to USC. But did that last? Her move certainly raises questions. Heckel showed flashes of brilliance like her two-way contribution in the game against Maryland that helped the team to a late comeback win. Or her 13-point performance in Watkins absence. USC has needed her speed, and Juju, her ball-handling ability.

But her first season did not come without lapses. She struggled through the Big Tournament, being benched throughout the games, save 4 or 5 minutes and contributing zero points. Trojan Wire’s Matt Zemek believed she had lost her confidence. But even though she managed to bounce back to average 8.5 points in the March Madness, doesn’t look like things worked out for her. The freshman guard finished her season averaging 6.1 points, 1.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.3 steals across 34 games.

And now, she’s on her way out. With JuJu Watkins likely out for most (if not all) of next season due to her ACL recovery, Heckel was expected to play a much larger role. Her departure, paired with Howell’s, leaves USC in a tight spot.

Can Juju Watkins and USC deal with departures better?

Heading into the 2025–26 season, USC women’s basketball finds itself at a critical crossroads. Just a year removed from a stunning 31–6 campaign and their first Elite Eight appearance since 1994, the Trojans now face a daunting rebuild.

Adding to the urgency, the program is set to kick off the much-hyped “Real SC” series against the University of South Carolina on November 15, 2025, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. This isn’t just another non-conference matchup—it’s a statement series designed to boost national attention and challenge USC against a powerhouse program.

But now the question becomes: will USC even have the firepower to compete? Well, not yet. But Gotlieb does have some promising pieces on the court still. Rayah Marshall has been consistent, averaging 11.2 points and 9.7 rebounds, while Smith looks ready for a bigger role. She flashed promise last season with 8.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. USC Nation also have reason to watch Talia von Oelhoffen. The Oregon State transfer brings leadership and experience—both of which will be key in a young guard rotation.

But the biggest buzz? Freshman Jasmine “Jazzy” Davidson.

The 6-foot-1 forward is the No. 3 recruit in the class of 2025. She made her presence felt in the McDonald’s All-American Game, putting up 12 points, six rebounds, and two blocks. She’s got size, skill, and poise. And in a post-Watkins world, USC will need her right away.

And don’t rule out another splash. Rumors are flying about Ta’Niya Latson. The Florida State star just hit the transfer portal. She led the nation in scoring last season. If USC lands her, that’s a major shake-up. Especially now, with the backcourt in transition.