Juju Watkins is one of the superstars in women’s college basketball right now. She plays for the USC Trojans and is known for her ability to score and lead the team. She rose to this superstar status with an outstanding freshman year. Setting the record of scoring 920 points as a freshman, setting a USC record with 14 games scoring 30 points or more, and in her Ohio State vs USC debut, she made the most points ever by a Trojan in their first game. During a game against Mississippi State in the March Madness tournament, Watkins tore her ACL during the first quarter. With the USC superstar player down for the rest of the tournament, how will the team adjust to still make progress moving forward? 

On Monday, March 24, 2025, during a game vs Mississippi State in the NCAA tournament, Watkins tore her ACL during an attempt to score on a fast break. She was fouled and fell awkwardly. This resulted in her instantly grabbing her knee out of pain. She was then carried to the locker room and did not return for the remainder of the game. This event shook up the team initially when it first happened. It’s always scary to see your teammate/player hurt and the fear of the unknown if they’re okay. 

“I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t rattled, seeing Juju on the floor and crying.” Said the USC coach.

Watkins was soon evaluated by the medical staff and it was confirmed that her injury was so severe that it had to end her season. Many people on social media platforms had kind words to Watkins, hoping for a quick recovery. Here are some words from credible sources gathered from yahoo sports:

John Fanta, Fox Sports/NBC Sports/The Field of 68 college basketball analyst

“Prayers to JuJu Watkins. Really hope she is okay. One of the best superstars in the sport. She’s outstanding for the game in so many ways. Absolutely hate to see this.”

Myron Medcalf, ESPN college basketball analyst

“Really hoping this JuJu Watkins injury isn’t as bad as it looks. The whole crowd is stunned. Her teammates look lost. She was on a fast break, and it just looked like something bad had happened. Love this sport. Hate to see these moments.”

George Wrightster III, college football podcaster

“I could actually shed a tear. Saw this young lady every week through HS, and she is a great person outside of basketball.”

Ramona Shelburne, ESPN senior writer

“This is heartbreaking.”

This season has shown just how outstanding Watkins is, and it was shown by her being a three-time award-winning sophomore. She is the first Trojan to win the Wooden award and the Dawn Staley award. As well as receiving the Ann Meyers Drysdale Shooting Guard of the year. The Wooden Award recognizes the most outstanding college basketball player in the nation, and the Dawn Staley Award is given to a player who exemplifies playing skills like Dawn did during her career. Skills such as ball handling, scoring, her willingness to win, and her ability to distribute the ball. With her amazing scoring ability, Watkins elevated the Trojans as title contenders and was seen as true competition in women’s college basketball. 

With their star player out, the USC Trojans had to find a way to adjust moving forward in the tournament to still have a chance at a title contender. Unfortunately, a little over a week after Watkins’s injury, the Trojans were eliminated from the Elite Eight tournament after losing to UConn. While they put up a good fight, the toll of losing Juju in the middle of a tournament must’ve shaken the morale of the team and possibly even lost focus. 

Days after the injury, there was radio silence from Watkins, taking time to process the injury and the journey that was to come. She later spoke on her injury to ESPN College. 

“You know, I’m a firm believer in everything happens for a reason… so I’m really just getting prepared for what’s to come and ready to just get to work and get to work in rehab so that I’m back on the floor with my teammates.”

Although this was unexpected for her and her teammates, it’s good to see that Juju is being positive and ready to recover. 

Overall, injuries from college athletes can affect more than just the athlete, especially when it’s an athlete who’s in the limelight. While athletes face adversity every day, it can be seen as a way to build their story of success and how they persevere. This unfortunate event shows the resilience that was instilled in Juju Watkins and the team while they put up a good fight.

References:

Young, Grant. “JuJu Watkins Opens up about ACL Injury Recovery State of Mind.” Women’s Fastbreak on SI, Sports Illustrated, 5 Apr. 2025, www.si.com/onsi/womens-fastbreak/news/juju-watkins-opens-up-about-acl-injury-recovery-state-of-mind-01jr3yg52yhm. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.

“USC’s JuJu Watkins Wins Wooden Award, Repeats as Ann Meyers Drysdale Shooting Guard of the Year, Earns Dawn Staley Award – USC Athletics.” USC Athletics, 2025, usctrojans.com/news/2025/4/5/womens-basketball-uscs-juju-watkins-wins-wooden-award-repeats-as-ann-meyers-drysdale-shooting-guard-of-the-year-earns-dawn-staley-award. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.

Yahoo! (n.d.). Social media reacts to Juju Watkins’ injury. Yahoo! Sports. https://sports.yahoo.com/article/social-media-reacts-juju-watkins-145009121.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAABtPaDa4-3AviZyoE6_yyeblYwWOqNhQp-pfEpgc8ujcyjUWUdQa1hEbAuIPoXy35JY9Vz_xolD_PF3m_1JBecGWMVTOuDkshvq7drMwZ6y8CFh0WE1msHYtJpBjZhRS83hWIPg-YcyQjr-hBdxg1rstkXuNm8goAKDEKFDXb3t3