In a significant blow to the USC women's basketball team, standout player JuJu Watkins will undergo season-ending surgery after suffering a torn ACL in her right knee during a match against Mississippi State on Monday. The team confirmed the news, highlighting the impact of this unfortunate injury on their tournament aspirations.
JuJu Watkins had a challenging start to the game, contributing three points, two assists, and one rebound before her exit in the first quarter. The incident occurred when the sophomore guard received an outlet pass, drove down the court, and encountered two Bulldogs defenders. After being fouled, Watkins fell to the ground, immediately clutching her right knee—a moment that would change the course of her season.
In the wake of the injury, support poured in from the basketball community, with stars like Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty and Angel Reese from the Chicago Sky expressing their condolences and encouragement on social media. Such solidarity underscores the respect and admiration Watkins has earned both on and off the court.
With JuJu Watkins sidelined, the USC women’s basketball team will look to freshman guard Kennedy Smith and senior KiKi Iriafen to step up in her absence. Smith has averaged 9.2 points per game this season, while Iriafen has been a standout with an impressive average of 18 points per game. Their performance will be crucial as the team seeks to advance further in the tournament without their star player.
Prior to her injury, JuJu Watkins was having an outstanding season, finishing as a back-to-back First-Team AP All-American. She averaged an impressive 24.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. Additionally, she showcased her shooting skills with a field goal percentage of 42.8 percent and a three-point percentage of 32.6 percent. Her contributions have been vital to the team's success, making her absence even more pronounced as the tournament progresses.
As the USC women’s basketball team navigates this challenging time, fans and teammates alike remain hopeful for a swift recovery for JuJu Watkins and look forward to seeing her back on the court in the future.
