USC’s Championship Dreams Shattered as JuJu Watkins Suffers Season-Ending ACL Injury

USC’s hopes of moving further in the NCAA tournament were shattered when freshman phenom JuJu Watkins ruptured her ACL in her right knee in the Trojans’ win over Mississippi State in the second round. JuJu Watkins injury will keep him out for the rest of the season, which is not good for USC’s chances of winning the championship.

The injury occurred just five minutes into USC’s 96-59 win when Watkins, driving on a fast break, was fouled and planted her right leg awkwardly. Her knee buckled instantly, sending her collapsing to the floor in visible pain. The Galen Center crowd fell silent as medical staff rushed to her side before carrying her off the court. Watkins was later ruled out for the game, and sources confirmed the devastating ACL tear that would end her season.

JuJu Watkins was carried off the court and taken to the locker room after suffering an injury on this play. pic.twitter.com/zFgm8PkVnu

— ESPN (@espn) March 25, 2025

A Shocking Blow to USC and the Basketball World

Watkins, widely regarded as the best player in college basketball, had been a driving force behind USC’s stellar 29-3 season. Averaging 24.6 points, seven rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game, she was not only a leading contender for National Player of the Year but also a crucial piece in USC’s pursuit of a national championship.

“This team rallied, they rallied for her, they rallied for each other,” said USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb. “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t rattled seeing JuJu on the floor, crying.”

Her absence was deeply felt, but her teammates stepped up. Kiki Iriafen delivered a career-high 36 points and nine rebounds, helping USC secure back-to-back Sweet 16 appearances. Freshman Avery Howell added 18 points, while Rayah Marshall and Kayleigh Heckel combined for 25 points in an emotional performance.

The JuJu Watkins injury sent shockwaves beyond USC, shaking the entire women’s basketball community. Watkins’ meteoric rise had made her one of the sport’s biggest stars, drawing comparisons to legends like Cheryl Miller and recent icons like Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, and Angel Reese. She became a must-watch TV, leading a new wave of excitement around women’s basketball with her electrifying performances and fearless play.

A Tough Road Ahead for USC and Watkins

With JuJu Watkins out, USC must navigate the remainder of the tournament without their star. The Trojans, a No. 1 seed, were expected to make a serious run at the Final Four, but her absence creates a daunting challenge as they prepare for their Sweet 16 matchup in Spokane, Washington.

For Watkins, the focus now shifts to surgery and rehabilitation. The amount of time it will take for her to recover completely is still unknown, but recovery from an ACL injury takes a long time. This puts people wondering if she will be playing next year or not. With how talented other teams know she is, the WNBA could draft her after her third year, so USC’s long-term strategy becomes even less clear.

Meanwhile, the Galen Center faithful made their feelings known, loudly booing Mississippi State after the injury and making their support for Watkins clear. Iriafen had this to say about the mood: “They showed how ride-or-die they are.”

Even though Watkins is better now, the Trojans will remember how quickly things can change in sports. USC wants to remember their absent star player every time they play in the playoffs right now.