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4w ago

JuJu Watkins' ACL Injury Reshapes NCAA Women's Tournament and Draws Widespread Support

The USC star's season-ending injury has left a significant void in women's basketball, impacting tournament dynamics and sparking questions about her recovery timeline.

JuJu Watkins #12 of the USC Trojans and Paige Bueckers #5 of the Connecticut Huskies play against each other during the first half of an NCAA women's basketball game at the XL Center on December 21, 2024 in Hartford, Connecticut. The UConn star guard sends her best wishes to the USC star guard, who suffered a torn ACL.
Paige Bueckers of the Connecticut Huskies grabs the loose ball against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits during the second half of a second round game of the women’s NCAA basketball tournament at the Harry A. Gampel Pavilion on March 24, 2025 in Storrs, Connecticut. The Huskies defeated the Jackrabbits 91-57.
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Southern California guard JuJu Watkins falls to the floor with the ball between Mississippi State guard Eniya Russell, left, and guard Chandler Prater, right, during the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament Monday, March 24, 2025, in Los Angeles.

Overview

  • JuJu Watkins, USC's standout player and National Player of the Year, suffered a season-ending ACL injury during the NCAA Tournament's second round against Mississippi State.
  • Her absence has led to a notable decline in NCAA women's tournament attendance and TV ratings, with a 30% drop in attendance and a 22% decrease in viewership compared to last year.
  • Watkins, regarded as a transformative figure in women's basketball, has elevated the sport's visibility through her talent and high-profile NIL deals with brands like Nike and Gatorade.
  • The basketball community, including rivals and prominent figures like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, has rallied to support Watkins, emphasizing her impact on and off the court.
  • USC faces Kansas State in the Sweet 16 without Watkins, with forward Kiki Iriafen stepping into a leadership role, while Watkins prepares for surgery and a potentially lengthy recovery process.