USC Women’s basketball star JuJu Watkins tears ACL, ruled out for rest of tournament

The Trojans will now have to go through the rest of the tournament without their best player, following a collision in the first quarter sending Watkins to the locker room

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - In a move sending shockwaves through the NCAA DI women's championship, USC senior guard JuJu Watkins has torn her ACL, ending her season, per ESPN.

In the first quarter of the Trojans' second round matchup with Mississippi State, Watkins was ran into by Bulldogs guard Chandler Prater , which caused Watkins to land awkwardly with her right leg.

The star sophomore was then carried off the court by two members of USC's coaching staff to be further evaluated.

It was later reported by ESPN's Shams Charania that Trojan fans' worst fears were realized.

Breaking: USC phenom JuJu Watkins has suffered a torn ACL in her right knee, sources tell ESPN. She will undergo surgery. pic.twitter.com/2qMvpXTGwI

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 25, 2025

The Women of Troy will now try to compete for a title without their best player.

Awaiting USC in the next round will be five seed Kansas State, who they'll take on in Spokane, Wash. on Saturday.