Los Angeles basketball fans are reeling after USC superstar JuJu Watkins suffered a serious knee injury during the second round of March Madness against Mississippi State. The injury, which occurred just minutes into the game, was later confirmed as a torn ACL in her right knee. This injury will require surgery and months of rehabilitation.
How the Injury to JuJu Watkins Happened
Watkins, who has quickly become one of the most electrifying players in college basketball, was a key factor in USC’s hopes of making a deep tournament run. She also made headlines off the court, as evidenced by her recent Nike ad at the Hotel Figueroa.
With their leading scorer and playmaker sidelined, the Trojans face an uphill battle to make it to the Sweet 16. The moment was heartbreaking for fans inside the Galen Center. Watkins fell to the floor after a drive to the basket and immediately clutched her knee.
The arena went silent, and emotions ran high as medical staff rushed to assist her. Watkins, known for her explosive scoring ability, had already racked up over 1,700 points in just two seasons, surpassing early career records set by other basketball legends.
USC’s chances of winning March Madness are severely damaged
With Watkins out for the rest of the season, the team will need to adjust quickly to keep their championship hopes alive. Senior Kiki Iriafen stepped up in her absence, leading USC to a dominant win over Mississippi State with a career-high performance.
Beyond this season, Watkins remains one of the biggest names in women’s basketball. She is already boasting major endorsement deals with Nike, Gatorade, and State Farm.
However, under current WNBA draft rules, she won’t be eligible to go pro until 2027. This means that she’ll have time to recover and come back even stronger for USC.
For Angelenos, this injury is a devastating moment, but Watkins’ journey is far from over.