Image Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

JuJu Watkins Injury Update: What happened to JuJu Watkins?

JuJu Watkins has suffered a torn ACL in her right knee.

Image Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

USC star JuJu Watkins suffered a serious injury during the Trojans’ 96-59 victory over Mississippi State in the second round of the women’s NCAA Tournament on Monday. She went down with an apparent right knee injury in the first quarter.

Watkins was driving to the basket on the break and sustained a knee sprain. She fell to the court grabbing her knee. The USC star was screaming in pain and left the game with 4:43 left in the first quarter. She left the arena in a wheelchair.

JuJu Watkins was carried off the court and taken to the locker room after suffering an injury on this play. pic.twitter.com/zFgm8PkVnu
— ESPN (@espn) March 25, 2025

“I would be lying if I told you I wasn’t rattled, seeing JuJu on the court and crying,” USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb said.

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How long is Juju Watkins expected to be sidelined?

At half-time, No. 1 seed USC stated that Watkins was being evaluated by medical staff. Despite her injury, the Trojans squeezed past Mississippi State 96-59 to reach the Sweet 16 where they will take on Kansas State.

As per Shams Charania, JuJu Watkins, a contender for national player of the honours, has suffered a torn ACL in her right knee, sources tell ESPN. She will undergo surgery and might be out for the remaining NCAA tournament.

Breaking: USC phenom JuJu Watkins has suffered a torn ACL in her right knee, sources tell ESPN. She will undergo surgery. pic.twitter.com/2qMvpXTGwI
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 25, 2025

Watkins’ absence will dent the Trojans’ title hopes ahead of the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 matchups. The 19-year-old is averaging 24.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.8 blocks. She has also been named USC’s first conference player of the year in 37 years.

USC’s graduate transfer Iriafan scored 36 points on 16-for-22 shooting. Freshman Avery Howell dropped 18 points, and Kayleigh Heckel had 13. Rayah Marshall recorded 12 points, including four blocks. Kennedy Smith had five steals and 10 points in Trojans’ second-round win.

Image Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.