JuJu Watkins’ sophomore season is over. USC’s star guard suffered a season-ending ACL tear in an NCAA Tournament second-round victory over Mississippi State on Monday night. The injury will require surgery and Watkins will “then begin rehabilitation shortly thereafter,” the team said in a statement.
No. 1 seed USC will move forward in the tournament without Watkins, taking on No. 5 seed Kansas State in the Sweet 16 in Spokane, Wash., on Saturday.
Watkins was one of the tournament’s brightest stars, ranking second nationally with 24.6 points per game and the focal point of every opponent’s scouting report. Despite having two more seasons of college eligibility remaining, fans were already speculating about her WNBA future.
Her injury follows a line of other top tournament stars — UConn’s Paige Bueckers and teammate Azzi Fudd, and Notre Dame’s Olivia Miles — who have suffered ACL tears in college.
The hoops community sending love to Juju Watkins after her injury 💜 pic.twitter.com/Sm2iOFhX57
— Just Women’s Sports (@justwsports) March 25, 2025
Watkins’ absence is sure to loom over the remainder of the NCAA Tournament as fans wonder what comes next for her.
What is an ACL tear?
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of four major ligaments that connect…
