USC Trojans star guard JuJu Watkins had social media in shambles Monday night after she had to be carried off the court and straight to the locker room.
Watkins appeared to be in extreme pain after falling awkwardly during the NCAA Tournament second-round game against Mississippi State at Galen Center.
Early in the first quarter, Watkins was on a fast break when she became entangled with a Mississippi State player. She immediately went down, grabbed her right knee, and was visibly in pain.
There’s like a 75 % chance juju Watkins just tore her ACL the way her knee gives out smh pic.twitter.com/sI3kkm2ii0
— John (@iam_johnw) March 25, 2025
Medical staff came to assist as the crowd inside the Galen Center went silent. It would be a few hours before everyone’s worst fears would come to light.
JuJu Watkins’ season was done as the USC star suffered a season-ending knee injury during Monday night’s women’s March Madness game against Mississippi State.
“She will undergo surgery and then begin rehabilitation shortly thereafter,” USC said.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NCAA stories via Google! Follow Us
Watkins tore her anterior cruciate ligament, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Breaking: JuJu Watkins has suffered a torn ACL in her right knee, sources tell @ShamsCharania.
— ESPN (@espn) March 25, 2025
She will undergo surgery. pic.twitter.com/gbsjjTaD0H
Fans wasted no time praying JuJu:
“Noooooooo!!!!!!! Omg!!! 😣😣😣😣 JUJU 🥺🫂🫶🏽 Praying for a speedy recovery!!!” one fan said.
Noooooooo!!!!!!! Omg!!! 😣😣😣😣 JUJU 🥺🫂🫶🏽 Praying for a speedy recovery!!! pic.twitter.com/Gc0OGxpTJX
— Brittney Elena💖 (@BrittneyElena_) March 25, 2025
“no JuJu Watkins .. take my knee 🥺,” a second fan added.
no JuJu Watkins .. take my knee 🥺 pic.twitter.com/zJwh0lWVOD
— 🎱 (@s3_adot) March 25, 2025
“Prayers up for JuJu Watkins 🙏. Hope she’s ok,” one account hoped.
Prayers up for JuJu Watkins 🙏
— Complex (@Complex) March 25, 2025
Hope she’s ok. pic.twitter.com/Hcl0FLfRDq
“NOT JUJU WATKINS LORD PLEASE,” another fan added while a Chiefs player dropped to his knees.
NOT JUJU WATKINS LORD PLEASE pic.twitter.com/nYuWo9FFhH
— Bruce Wayne (@ItsBrienW) March 25, 2025
What’s Next For USC Superstar JuJu Watkins?
JuJu Watkins, a USC basketball standout and a potential top pick at the WNBA Draft, has suffered a torn ACL in her right knee.
Since entering the college scene, Watkins has looked ready for the pros, but her injury and other factors will probably keep her in the NCAA next season.
She is in her sophomore year at USC and has already made such a name for herself.
She’s one of the top players, and if she were eligible, she would definitely be a top-three pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft.
Due to the WNBA’s eligibility rules, Watkins won’t be able to declare for the draft until 2027. She has plenty of time to recover and get back to her dominance.
Also read: USC Trojans’ National Champion And All-American Tragically Dies
