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USC’s JuJu Watkins Suffers Season-Ending Knee Injury

In a challenging turn of events for the top-seeded USC women’s basketball team, star player JuJu Watkins suffered a significant right knee injury during the opening quarter of their NCAA Tournament matchup against Mississippi State on Monday night. This injury has effectively ended her season.

A spokesperson for the team confirmed that Watkins will undergo surgery followed by a rehabilitation process. The injury, described as non-contact, occurred as Watkins was driving toward the basket and attempting to plant her right leg, which twisted awkwardly, causing her to fall to the court in visible distress. Teammates quickly surrounded her as she clutched her knee, and the atmosphere at the Galen Center shifted to one of concern and silence.

Head coach Lindsay Gottlieb expressed her emotions candidly, noting, “I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t rattled seeing JuJu lying on the floor and crying.” As Watkins was carried off, the Trojans were in command of the game with a score of 13-2.

Despite the setback of losing their key player, USC secured a decisive victory over Mississippi State, winning 96-59 and advancing to the Sweet 16.

Other coaches in the league have recognized Watkins’ impact on women’s basketball, with Mississippi State’s Sam Purcell stating, “My prayers and thoughts are with JuJu. Obviously, we’re competitors and you never want to see that, especially what she means for women’s basketball.”

Watkins, a 6-foot-2 sophomore, has had an extraordinary collegiate career thus far, having started all 34 games in her freshman year and achieving an impressive average of 27.1 points per game. Her overall contributions have made her a standout player, setting a national record for a freshman with 920 points. Last year, she helped lead her team to the Elite Eight, where they fell to UConn, and a repeat matchup could occur if both teams progress in this year’s tournament.

Following Watkins’ injury, the atmosphere in the arena turned heated, with fans booing Mississippi State each time they took possession of the ball, reflecting their loyalty to Watkins and the Trojans. MSU’s guard Jerkaila Jordan acknowledged the fervor of USC supporters, stating, “They’re gonna stand behind their home team. They’re gonna go hard for JuJu.” Jordan graciously scored 17 points in the contest.

In the midst of the game, USC’s Malia Samuels also faced a hard fall during the second quarter, raising concerns among fans and teammates. Coach Gottlieb rushed to check on Samuels, who reassured the coach that she was fine. The spirit and determination of the Trojans were evident as they rallied and celebrated a halftime buzzer-beater three-pointer from senior Rayah Marshall, propelling their lead to 50-27.

Players like Kiki Iriafen stepped up during the game, showcasing resilience by scoring a season-high 36 points. After a tough first-round victory against UNC Greensboro, Watkins expressed optimism about her condition, stating, “It’s the end of the season, body is a little banged up. On to the next. Nobody cares. I’m all good.”

Looking Ahead

The injury to Watkins is a significant blow to the USC team, but they demonstrated their depth and resilience in the game against Mississippi State. With the Sweet 16 awaiting them, the Trojans will need to continue leveraging their talent and overcoming adversity.

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www.cbsnews.com