JuJu Watkins, USC Women's Hoops Star, Tears ACL: REACTIONS
(UPDATE: ESPN's Shams Charania reported that JuJu Watkins suffered a torn ACL, ending her tournament run. Watkins will undergo surgery.)
JuJu Watkins, the sophomore USC women's basketball star, suffered a frightening knee injury on Monday night while facing off against the ninth-ranked Mississippi State team.
The Trojans were up 13-2 in the first quarter when Watkins fell on a fast break, clutching at her right knee.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 24: JuJu Watkins #12 of the USC Trojans after an injury against the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the first half during the second round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Galen Center on March 24, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 24: JuJu Watkins #12 of the USC Trojans is helped up off the floor against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the Second Round of the 2025 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament held at Galen Center on March 24, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John W. McDonough/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
The energy at Galen Center in Los Angeles shifted completely.
Watkins, 19, needed help getting off the court, writhing and evidently startled by the sharp pain.
USC officially ruled Watkins out of action.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 24: JuJu Watkins #12 of the USC Trojans after an injury against the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the first half during the second round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Galen Center on March 24, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Their account on X posted the following:
"JuJu Watkins is being evaluated by USC Keck Medicine staff and will not return to competition in tonight’s NCAA Second Round game."
Facing high expectations in the ongoing tournament, USC braced for a deep run this March, purely on Watkins' talent as a scorer.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 24: JuJu Watkins #12 of the USC Trojans after an injury against the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the first half during the second round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Galen Center on March 24, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
After Caitlin Clark left for the WNBA, Watkins was next in line as the face of women's college basketball.
Monday's injury was an unfortunate wrench in Watkins' stellar year.
Reactions from fans poured in on social media as women's college basketball's biggest star exited the game with injury.
Chicago Sky star and former LSU champ Angel Reese posted, "Prayers for Juju!" with a sad face and praying hands.
Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela