JuJu Watkins suffers season-ending knee injury in NCAA Tournament

On a Monday night in March 2025, JuJu Watkins, a sophomore guard for the University of Southern California’s women’s basketball team, suffered a severe right knee injury during the first quarter of their NCAA Tournament game against Mississippi State. The injury occurred as she was attempting to score, and her knee bent awkwardly, causing her to collapse to the floor in visible pain. Despite trailing 13-2 at the time, her team continued to perform remarkably well without her, ultimately winning the game with a dominating score of 96-59. As expected, the loss of such a prominent player greatly affected the atmosphere, leading to the crowd booing the opposing team constantly. Watkins had previously enjoyed a successful season, averaging 24.6 points per game, and had been a significant factor in guiding USC to a top seed in the tournament. The coaching staff and her teammates expressed their concern for her well-being, stating they would support her through her recovery. Following the injury, USC’s athletic department confirmed that Watkins’s injury would require surgery and extensive rehabilitation, bringing an abrupt end to her season. Her support base rallied behind her as they celebrated the team's advancement to the Sweet 16, despite the grim shadow cast by her injury. The Trojans reflected on how they needed to rely on their depth to fill the gap left by Watkins, showing a commendable team spirit and resilience amidst adversity.