Juju Watkins has become one of the best players in Women’s College Basketball.
The USC guard sustained a seasonal knee injury during another round game in the NCAA tournament.
While the USC came past Kansas State in Sweet 16, the short -handed Trojans were removed from battle in Elite Eight. The day after Uconn’s 78-64 win over USC expressed Watkin’s gratitude for the support she has received since she ripped an ACL.
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USC Trojan’s Guard Juju Watkins (12) during pre-heating before another round NCAA tournament game against Mississippi State Bulldogs at the Galen Center in Los Angeles March 24, 2025. (Robert Hanashiro/Imag- Pictures)
“Thank you all for the incredible love and support. Seeing all your messages and kind words has meant the world to me – you have given me so much hope,” Watkins wrote in a post for his Instagram story.
WNBA legend reveals 1-word reaction at Juju Watkins’ devastating knee injury
“Right now my heart is with my teammates – I wish I could have been out there fighting, but I couldn’t be proud of the match we’ve fought together. Thank you all together.”
USC Trojan’s Guard Juju Watkins grabs her knees after falling on the floor during the first quarter of another round of NCAA tournament game against Mississippi State Bulldogs at the Galen Center in Los Angeles March 24, 2025. (Robert Hanashiro/Imag- Pictures)
Uconn’s victory over USC stopped Huskies’ ticket to Final Four. Uconn is facing UCLA Friday.
USC entered this year’s tournament as top seeds. The Trojans also earned a No. 1 seed last year and went on to Elite Eight. Uconn also eliminated the USC in Elite Eight in 2024.
Watkins was buried when she drove to the basket on a quick break about five minutes into a March 24 match against Mississippi State. Her right knee looked to tighten the piece and she fell on the floor where she remained for a minute in visible pain and grabbed her knees.
USC Guard Juju Watkins (12) against Mississippi State Guard Jerkaila Jordan (2) during the first half of the second round of the NCAA tournament on March 24, 2025 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Watkins composed an excellent beginner campaign in the 2023-24 season, and her impressive performance continued this year. Natives in Los Angeles were an average of 23.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 33 games this season.
USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb said Watkins’ status of the 2025-26 season is unclear.
“We don’t know what Juju will do. Will she take all year and red shirt? Will she try to return at one point,” Gottlieb told ESPN Monday. “It’s not conversations right now, but I think we’ll dive into how we remain an elite team regardless of these circumstances. We have time to figure out how to be big, even if Juju is not out there.”
