USC women’s basketball star JuJu Watkins will miss the remainder of the NCAA tournament due to a torn ACL in her right knee, according to team sources. The injury occurred during the Trojans’ second-round game against Mississippi State.
Watkins was fouled and fell to the floor while driving to the basket on a fast break. She immediately grabbed her knee and stayed down for over a minute before being carried off the court by trainers. USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb described Watkins as “human” and said the team’s performance was motivated by their desire to rally behind their injured teammate.
The Trojans dominated the game, winning 96-59, with Kiki Iriafen scoring a season-high 36 points. The team’s toughness and resilience were evident in their response to the injury, as they loudly booed Mississippi State every time it had the ball.
Gottlieb said the team wanted to show that West Coast teams can compete against SEC tough opponents. She also praised her players for compartmentalizing their emotions and focusing on the game ahead.
Watkins’ injury is a significant blow to USC’s campaign, but Gottlieb hopes she can see the significance of her impact on the program beyond her individual talent. The Trojans will need to regroup without Watkins as they move forward in the tournament.
Source: https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/44393492/usc-trojans-star-juju-watkins-carried-injury-vs-mississippi-state-women-ncaa-tournament