The revival and rise of girls’ high school basketball continues in Southern California, and the success of women’s basketball programs at UCLA and USC is an example of the changing landscape. The Bruins are ranked No. 3 and USC No. 18 in the preseason Associated Press national rankings.
Instead of players needing to leave the area for exposure and quality coaching, they’re staying in Southern California, leading to UCLA and USC becoming national powers.
USC’s successful recruitment of JuJu Watkins from Sierra Canyon was a huge turning point, leading to others becoming Trojans, such as All-American Kennedy Smith from Etiwanda.