A sensational season ended in devastation for JuJu Watkins.
USC’s superstar sophomore suffered a season-ending knee injury in Monday night’s 96-59 win over Mississippi State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
“She will undergo surgery and then begin rehabilitation shortly thereafter,” USC Women’s Basketball said in an announcement Tuesday morning.
The injury was a torn ACL in Watkins’ right knee, ESPN reported.
Watkins’ knee buckled as she drove to the basket on a first-quarter fastbreak, leaving her clutching her leg and writhing in pain.
The 6-2 guard was eventually carried off the court.
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t rattled seeing JuJu lying on the floor, crying,” Trojans head coach Lindsay Gottlieb said after the game. “I mean, this is a human game. And so I tried, obviously, my best to be what I needed to be for the team, but internally, it’s a lot.”
The injury brought a sudden end to a season in which Watkins averaged 23.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. She led USC to a No. 1 seed in the tournament while establishing herself as a favorite for Naismith Player of the Year.
Her injury rocked the basketball community.
“My heart is broken I will keep you in my prayers,” Los Angeles Sparks great Lisa Leslie, who played college basketball at USC, wrote to Watkins on the social-media website X. “I know you will be back stronger and better!!”
Chiney Ogwumike, most recently of the Sparks, wrote in another post, “One of the brightest stars the game has ever seen… in a city known for making them. Sending Juju love.”
Added Chicago Sky star Angel Reese, “Prayers for Juju!”
Watkins, a Los Angeles native, averaged 27.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists last year en route to winning USBWA National Freshman of the Year and WBCA Freshman of the Year.
This season, she was named the Big Ten Player of the Year.
Now, USC will try to continue its run without her. Kiki Iriafen scored 36 points in Monday’s win.
“We’ve got people who are capable and willing to step up,” Gottlieb said.
The Trojans are set to face No. 5 Kansas State on Saturday in the Sweet 16.
