USC star sophomore Juju Watkins had to be carried from the floor by multiple members of the Trojan staff after suffering an obvious intra-hypophysis injury in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Monday night in Los Angeles, California.
Watkins was racing on the other end of the floor with a fast break as No. 1 USC led the ninth seed Mississippi State 13-2 in the first quarter When the two defenders gathered at her. After being contacted by one Mississippi state player, Watkins lost the ball and fell to the floor. She then grabbed her right knee immediately and her face contorted in pain as her teammates surrounded her.
Two members of USC staff lifted Watkins out of his foot and took him to the locker room.
We'll give Juju Watkins a good atmosphere ❤️
– Big Ten Women's Basketball (@b1gwbbball) March 25, 2025
Watkins finished the game with a 4:43 mark in the opening frame, talliing three points, two assists and rebounds. She hadn't returned to the bench midway through the second quarter yet.
USC announced during the game that Watkins had not returned to the second round game on Monday night and was being rated.
Juju Watkins has been praised by USC Keck Medicine staff and will not return to competition in tonight's NCAA round 2 game.
– USC Women's Basketball (@USCWBB) March 25, 2025
The consensus first-team national selection this season, Watkins averages 24.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.3 steel and 1.8 blocks per game. She led USC to this big 10 regular season title this season in her first year in the league.
This is an developing story that SB Nation will update as more information becomes available.
