JuJu Watkins Exits NCAA Second Round With Injury

The unimaginable has occurred. USC Trojan star JuJu Watkins has exited the second-round matchup towards Mississippi State after struggling a contact decrease leg harm.

USC Trojans Sophomore sensation JuJu Watkins has suffered an harm that occurred throughout the first quarter within the NCAA second spherical matchup. The incident occurred on the quick break, the place Watkins took a tumble between two defenders. With 4:43 remaining within the first quarter, Watkins instantly grabbed her proper knee. 

Grimacing in ache, Watkins spent a number of minutes screaming in agony with teammates close by, and was later carried off the ground and headed straight to the locker room. Watkins evening ended with three factors, two assists, and one rebound. 

Evaluated by USC Keck Medical Workers, Watkins has been dominated out for the rest of the matchup. Launched in a press release by USC, “JuJu Watkins is being evaluated by USC Keck Drugs workers and won’t return to competitors in tonight’s NCAA Second Spherical recreation.”

JuJu Watkins is being evaluated by USC Keck Drugs workers and won’t return to competitors in tonight’s NCAA Second Spherical recreation.

— USC Girls’s Basketball (@USCWBB) March 25, 2025

JuJu Watkins Damage May Be Devastating For USC

It is a main blow to USC, because the basketball world awaits the extent of Watkins harm. Destined to fulfill No. 2 UConn within the Elite Eight, No. 1 USC will proceed to pursue their push for a NCAA Championship, with or with out Watkins. It is going to be fairly the rigorous schedule for USC, who will doubtless face No. 5 Kansas State within the Spherical of 16 in Spokane. Having misplaced to UConn within the Elite Eight final yr, the 2 groups might probably nonetheless meet as soon as once more.

The Massive Ten Participant of the Yr, Watkins is the guts and soul of this Trojans. A generational expertise on each side of the ball, Watkins averaged 24.6 factors, 7.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.3 assists, and 1.8 blocks on the season. A vital half to the Trojans success, the LA native was averaging 22 factors, 8.0 rebounds, two assists, and three steals by way of the NCAA match heading into tonight. 

USC Dances Into The Candy 16 With out Watkins

As for USC, the workforce, followers, and coaches will proceed to essentially round Watkins irrespective of the result. Throughout halftime, Trojans head coach Lindsey Gottlieb launched a fast replace pertaining to her iconic participant. 

“She’ [JuJu Watkins] is getting seen by our nice medical workforce. We now have a gaggle, a fan base, and a workforce that is going to have her again it doesn’t matter what,” Gottlieb instructed ESPN.  “JuJu is the hardest child I do know and she or he’s gonna be good a technique or one other.”

Though USC captured a dominating 96-59 victory over Mississippi State, all eyes stay on Juju Watkins. Per ESPN’s Holly Rowe, Watkins was wheeled out into the closest medical heart for additional analysis and an MRI.

Whereas the extent of the harm is unknown, the lack of JuJu Watkins is irreplaceable. The entire basketball world will hope for the very best consequence. Extra to return on this breaking story. 

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Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter, Content material Creator, and Supervisor for Ballislife Bets. She has a deal with Girls’s Basketball and the NBA. Sara Jane at present resides within the Connecticut/NYC space together with her Cat and Canine. SJ has her undergraduate diploma in Economics from the College of Connecticut.