22
Sep
Aussies in NCAAW
Fagan's Trojan 'Odyssey' to expand her game at USC
USC Trojans forward Sitaya Fagan sits alongside guards Jazzy Davidson and JuJu Watkins before an NCAA women’s basketball game at Galen Center in Los Angeles, California, on March 1, 2026. Photo: Eric Thayer/Los Angeles Times via Getty Image
Highlights
Australian teenager Sitaya Fagan details her development, Opals debut and title ambitions at USC.
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Rising star Sitaya Fagan has revealed USC has “pushed me to be versatile” heading into her first season of NCAA Division I women’s basketball in late October.
Fagan, 18, told basketball.com.au in an exclusive interview in October 2025 that she had committed to the famous Southern Californian school as part of the incoming Class of 2026.
“I think they’ve pushed me to be versatile,” Fagan said.
“Back home, I’d normally be stuck at power forward – well, not stuck, but I’d be in the power forward position. As much as I love that position, I know I can do more.
“They’ve been putting me between the two and the five and just playing me wherever they need me, which I think has definitely boosted my growth. Hopefully, it will pay off in the season.
“I really want to be a facilitator. A good role player isn’t the word, but I really want to get as many rebounds, assists and all those things – just help my team as much as I can.
“It doesn’t have to be on the scoreboard or anything like that. Obviously, the goal is to get to the end and win a national championship.”
Fagan, who stands at 1.93m tall, made her Australian Opals debut earlier this year after winning the silver medal at the FIBA Under-19 Women’s World Cup with the Gems.
“It was so good,” Fagan said.
“When I got the call-up, I didn’t expect to have that so early. I was expecting it post-college. Then, when I got the call-up, I was just like, ‘Wow’.
“Actually getting on the court and scoring my first points, I just couldn’t stop smiling.”
Sitaya Fagan in pictures
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Western Australian 2.01m centre Pania Davis transferred from Florida State in the off-season for her senior season, and Fagan said it helped her transition into the American college system.
“College is such a high level, no matter where you are in the world,” she said.
“But I will say that USA basketball is definitely faster and a lot more competitive, while in Australia it’s a lot more mellow and more defensively focused.
“100 per cent (it’s nice to have an Australian teammate).
“It’s nice to have a break from having to fake the American accent a lot.”
Fagan spent months in the US after she committed to the Trojans working on her game – waiting to join the team officially.
“It was definitely difficult last year, just because it was like, I don’t know really where to fit in because I’m technically not part of the team, even though I’m on the roster,” she admitted.
“So, just coming in this summer and actually being part of the team, actually being involved in all the plays, it’s a really good experience.
“I did everything except suit up and play.
“It was definitely the right decision on my part because I could have stayed in Australia for that extra six months, but that was definitely the right call by me.”
Fagan said she looked forward to building chemistry and playing alongside one of the best women’s college basketballers in the US – JuJu Watkins, who missed last season with an ACL injury.
“She’s a great person, honestly,” Fagan said.
“When I came in, I was obviously on my own, being the only person coming in and redshirting like that. So, her being on the sideline next to me just made everything a lot easier, and I have a lot of respect for her.”
It’s not just about basketball for Kirsten Fagan's daughter (nee Geppert). Kirsten had her own stellar college career before playing in the WNBL in the early 2000s.
Fagan is studying psychology.
“Luckily, I was in two of my classes with JuJu and (red shirt sophomore) Laura (Williams), so they definitely took some weight off me,” she said.
“I was able to fall on them a bit for academic help when I needed it.
“But I love school. I know that sounds weird, but I do love school. I think having that balance between school and basketball helped me stay grounded, especially being in a new country.”
USC opens its season against Cal on Monday, October 26, 2026 (AEDT).
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