SPOKANE, Wash. — In the wake of USC star JuJu Watkins’ season-ending knee injury, Trojans coach Lindsay Gottlieb said she has been overwhelmed by the support expressed to the program, university and women’s basketball at large.
“I do think the women’s basketball community is incredibly empathetic, and the people that (we) have built real relationships with, it’s meaningful when they reach out and try and offer support and advice,” Gottlieb said. “I think it speaks mostly to JuJu and who she is, and everybody wants her playing basketball, and everybody respects who she is as a person and as a player. And then for me, colleagues just try and give you the support to go forward and lead your team the way that you know you have to at this time.”
For better or worse, many within the women’s basketball community can empathize with Watkins, Gottlieb and the rest of USC for what they’re going through. Knee injuries have become one of the most common season-ending ailments in the sport.
Gottlieb said she’s heard from so many in the women’s basketball world, including WNBA legend Candace Parker, Lindsey Harding and UCLA coach Cori Close. One of the first messages came from UConn coach Geno Auriemma, who reached out with words of support, understanding her position…
