A sensational season resulted in devastation for JuJu Watkins.
USC’s famous person sophomore suffered a season-ending knee damage in Monday night time’s 96-59 win over Mississippi State within the second spherical of the NCAA Event.
“She will undergo surgery and then begin rehabilitation shortly thereafter,” USC Girls’s Basketball stated in an announcement Tuesday morning.
The damage was a torn ACL in Watkins’ proper knee, ESPN reported.
Watkins’ knee buckled as she drove to the basket on a first-quarter fastbreak, leaving her clutching her leg and writhing in ache.
The 6-2 guard was finally carried off the court docket.
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t rattled seeing JuJu lying on the floor, crying,” Trojans head coach Lindsay Gottlieb stated after the sport. “I mean, this is a human game. And so I tried, obviously, my best to be what I needed to be for the team, but internally, it’s a lot.”
The damage introduced a sudden finish to a season wherein Watkins averaged 23.9 factors, 6.8 rebounds and three.4 assists per sport. She led USC to a No. 1 seed within the event whereas establishing herself as a favourite for Naismith Participant of the Yr.
Her damage rocked the basketball neighborhood.
“My heart is broken I will keep you in my prayers,” Los Angeles Sparks nice Lisa Leslie, who performed school basketball at USC, wrote to Watkins on the social-media web site X. “I know you will be back stronger and better!!”
Chiney Ogwumike, most lately of the Sparks, wrote in one other put up, “One of the brightest stars the game has ever seen… in a city known for making them. Sending Juju love.”
Added Chicago Sky star Angel Reese, “Prayers for Juju!”
Watkins, a Los Angeles native, averaged 27.1 factors, 7.3 rebounds and three.3 assists final yr en path to successful USBWA Nationwide Freshman of the Yr and WBCA Freshman of the Yr.
This season, she was named the Huge Ten Participant of the Yr.
Now, USC will attempt to proceed its run with out her. Kiki Iriafen scored 36 factors in Monday’s win.
“We’ve got people who are capable and willing to step up,” Gottlieb stated.
The Trojans are set to face No. 5 Kansas State on Saturday within the Candy 16.
