LOS ANGELES — The USC Trojans’ journey through the tournament has hit a major roadblock with the news that superstar guard JuJu Watkins will require surgery following a severe knee injury sustained in the second round against Mississippi State. This unfortunate development dims the bright prospects for a deep postseason run that the top-seeded Trojans had hoped for.
USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb expressed her emotional reaction to the incident, stating, “I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t rattled seeing JuJu on the floor and crying. I’m trying, obviously, my best to be what I need to be for the team, but internally it’s a lot.” Those words capture the heavy weight of the moment, not just for Gottlieb but for the entire team facing the reality of playing without one of their key leaders.
The injury occurred early in the first quarter of the Trojans’ dominant 96-59 victory, when Watkins was on the move in transition and collided with a Bulldogs player while driving towards the basket. The scene was tense as the referees called a foul on fifth-year forward Chandler Prater, and Watkins was visibly in distress, clutching her knee as her teammates formed a protective circle around her. With both coaches and staff rushing to her side, it was a stark reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in sports.
Watkins, already a two-time All-American and one of college basketball’s brightest stars, was having an outstanding season, ranking second nationally with an impressive average of 24.6 points per game. Her absence undoubtedly complicates the Trojans’ quest to reach their first Final Four since 1986, with an upcoming challenge against No. 5-seeded Kansas State looming in the Sweet 16.
The immediate impact of Watkins’ injury was clear; she left the court without putting weight on either leg, quickly whisked away to ensure her safety. Freshman Avery Howell stepped in to take her foul shots in a moment when the gravity of the situation settled in. Prior to her exit, Watkins contributed three points, two assists, and a rebound in a performance that revealed her critical role.
In the wake of Watkins’ departure, senior forward Kiki Iriafen elevated her game, finishing with a remarkable 36 points and nine rebounds, showing the type of resilience coaches love to see. “Once we lost Ju, she obviously has a high usage rate, does a lot for the team,” said guard Talia von Oelhoffen. “I think everybody else knew that we had to step up and come together.” The team’s rallying around each other and rising to the occasion spoke volumes about their depth and determination.
This wasn’t Willow’s first scare this season; she had previously faced a tough fall during the first round against UNC Greensboro but managed to brush it off, stating, “It’s the end of the season, body’s a little banged up, but onto the next.” Remarkably, she’s been a picture of durability throughout her college career, playing all 34 games as a freshman and making 33 starts this season alone.
Recently honored as a unanimous first-team Associated Press All-American for the second consecutive year, Watkins made history this season by being the first basketball player across Division I, WNBA, and NBA levels since 2000 to record 38 points, 11 rebounds, eight blocks, and five assists in a single game. She also became the fastest player in Trojans history to reach 1,000 career points earlier this season—an indication of her talent and potential that is now painfully sidelined.
As Gottlieb succinctly put it, “We know that we’ve got no punks in our locker room, that we have a team that’s going to step up.” With that spirit in mind, the No. 1-seeded Trojans will face off against the No. 5-seeded Wildcats in the Sweet 16 at 8 p.m. (ET) on Saturday in Spokane, Wash., as they aim to push forward despite the challenges ahead. The story may take a different turn without Watkins, but you can bet this team will fight valiantly in her honor.
