USC women’s basketball star JuJu Watkins suffered a torn ACL in her right knee during the first quarter of the NCAA Tournament game against Mississippi State on March 24, 2025. The injury happened as she was driving to the basket, causing her knee to buckle and forcing her to leave the game immediately.
- USC will not win the National Championship.
- Women’s college basketball lost a major reason why people watch the games.
- The Nike campaign for JuJu will surge for a few days and then dwindle until she returns.
- JuJu will have a long hard recovery, but she will get to save herself from useless college basketball mileage.
- Women who play basketball must know they are more susceptible to ACL and other knee injuries.
- Okikiola “Kiki” Iriafen can and will carry the team offensively until Watkins returns.
Watkins is set to undergo season-ending surgery, followed by a rehabilitation process. Despite her absence, USC secured a dominant 96-59 victory and advanced to the Sweet 16.
