For potential No. She was forced to end her season prematurely with an injury in the second-round NCAA tournament game against Mississippi State. The L.A. Times But the Associated Press All-American selection suffered a crushing injury just five minutes into the game at the Galen Center. She suffered an ACL tear on her right knee. During one of the most dangerous movements in basketball – driving to the hoop on a fast break – a hard foul resulted in her injury. When she planted her leg, her right knee gave out.
The audience at the University of Southern California’s Galen Center was stunned. Please don’t forget the players on the visiting team who watched as Watkins was carried off the court. Medical personnel examined Watkins’ injury and announced at halftime that she would not be re-entering the game. Watkins had scored three free throws, one rebound and two assists before her early departure.
Watkins has been a vital force for the Trojans, averaging 24.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game this season. Her exceptional play helped power USC’s run to a fourth No. 1 seed in this year’s NCAA tournament. They did all that on the way to a brilliant 30-3 season. Unfortunately, her injury has forced her out for the rest of the tournament.
Although there was no replacing Watkins, her teammates showed toughness throughout the game. Iriafen put together a masterful game, pouring in a season-high 36 points on 16-of-22 shooting. His incredible performance helped the Trojans cruise to a 96-59 win, sending them on to the second weekend of the tournament.
"We didn't want to let her down. We just want to keep dancing, so whatever it takes is what I wanted to do. I think it just shows our toughness." – Kiki Iriafen
The game's atmosphere turned tense as the crowd expressed their displeasure toward Mississippi State following Watkins' injury. The crowd regularly jeered the Mississippi State players anytime they had the ball. They even took the jeers out with them to the school’s halftime cheerleading performance.
Head Coach Lindsay Gottlieb shared her emotional response to the incident:
"I'd be lying if I told you that I wasn't rattled seeing JuJu on the floor crying." – Lindsay Gottlieb
Gottlieb was aware of Watkins’ phenomenal impact on the team and surrounding community. She reiterated how supporters have showed their love through this dark time with the serious injury.
"You can't tell me that the energy of the crowd and how angry they were with the other team and how much they were for our team isn't so much about what JuJu has given to this arena, to this program, to this city." – Lindsay Gottlieb
Talia von Oelhoffen, another key player for USC, emphasized the team's depth and determination to move forward despite losing a crucial player like Watkins.
"Obviously Ju is a lot for the team, but we have a lot of talent, we have a lot of depth and I don't think we're shaken by losing one player no matter who it is." – Talia von Oelhoffen
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