USC Prepares for Sweet 16 Without JuJu Watkins After Season-Ending ACL Injury

The Trojans adapt their strategy as Watkins receives widespread support and reflections on her impact dominate basketball discussions.

JuJu Watkins, USC's star guard and National Player of the Year, suffered a season-ending ACL injury during the NCAA tournament's second round against Mississippi State.
USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb and teammates, including standout Kiki Iriafen, are confident in their ability to compete against Kansas State in the Sweet 16 despite Watkins' absence.
Watkins' injury has drawn an outpouring of support from across the basketball community, including messages from Paige Bueckers, Kevin Garnett, and Caitlin Clark.
The injury has sparked broader conversations about resilience in sports, with comparisons to Paige Bueckers' recovery journey and reflections on the mental and physical toll of ACL rehabilitation.
Watkins' absence has highlighted her cultural and commercial influence on women's basketball, as tournament attendance and viewership have declined compared to last year.