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37m ago

USC's JuJu Watkins To Miss Entire 2025–26 Season During ACL Recovery

USC confirmed her season-long absence after her Instagram post, stressing a recovery-first plan on doctors' guidance.

Southern California Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) during pregame warmups before an NCAA Tournament game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs in Los Angeles on March 24, 2025.
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Overview

  • Watkins announced on Instagram that she will sit out the season to focus on rehabilitation, and USC issued a confirming statement.
  • She tore the ACL in her right knee during the NCAA Tournament second round against Mississippi State on March 24, 2025.
  • Coach Lindsay Gottlieb said Watkins' health is the top priority and noted she will continue to lead the program during rehab.
  • The USC junior was last season's AP Player of the Year and also won the Wooden and Naismith awards after a breakout campaign.
  • Before the injury she averaged 23.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists and already ranks ninth on USC’s career scoring list, as the Trojans enter the new season as defending Big Ten regular-season champions with back-to-back Elite Eight trips.