In a shocking turn of events during the women’s NCAA Tournament, JuJu Watkins, a standout player for the top-seeded Southern California Trojans, was carried off the court after sustaining a right knee injury in the first quarter of their game against Mississippi State. The incident occurred with just 4:43 left in the first quarter when Watkins, one of the brightest stars in women’s basketball, made a drive to the basket. As she attempted to maneuver between two defenders, her knee bent awkwardly upon planting her right leg, causing her to collapse on the floor.
As the crowd in the Galen Center fell silent, the 19-year-old sophomore, standing at 6-foot-2, clutched her knee in visible pain while her teammates rushed to her side. Coach Lindsay Gottlieb and two USC staff members attended to Watkins, who has been averaging an impressive 24.6 points per game this season. Following the injury, Watkins was carried off the court, and the game entered a media timeout with the Trojans leading 13-2.
USC officials announced that JuJu Watkins was being evaluated by the medical staff and would not return to the game. "She’s getting seen by our great medical team," noted Coach Gottlieb in an interview with ESPN after halftime. "We have a group, a fan base, and a team that’s going to have her back no matter what. JuJu is the toughest kid I know, and she’s gonna be good one way or another."
Watkins, who had a remarkable freshman year where she started all 34 games and finished second in the nation in scoring with an average of 27.1 points per game, had set a national record for freshman scoring with a total of 920 points. Last season, her team made it to the Elite Eight, only to be defeated by Paige Bueckers and UConn. There is potential for a rematch in the upcoming regional final in Spokane, Washington.
In the wake of Watkins' injury, the Galen Center crowd expressed their frustration by booing Mississippi State every time they had possession of the ball. The atmosphere remained tense, with the school's cheerleaders also facing jeers during their halftime routine. Despite the emotional turmoil, the Trojans maintained their composure on the court. By the end of the first quarter, USC led 28-8, showcasing their determination to prevail even without their star player.
As the second quarter unfolded, another scare occurred when USC guard Malia Samuels fell hard on the baseline, prompting a rush from Coach Gottlieb to check on her. Fortunately, Samuels was not injured and continued to play, stepping up to run the offense in place of Watkins.
The Trojans demonstrated their resilience as they finished the first half strong, with senior Rayah Marshall making a 3-pointer just before the halftime buzzer, extending their lead to 50-27. Earlier in the tournament, Watkins had also dealt with minor injuries, including a left hand injury sustained during a dominant win over UNC Greensboro. Despite the physical toll of the season, Watkins remained optimistic, stating, “It’s the end of the season, body is a little banged up. On to the next. Nobody cares. I’m all good.”
The future remains uncertain for JuJu Watkins, but her strength and determination are evident as the USC Trojans continue their quest in the NCAA Tournament.
