- Juju Watkins is without doubt one of the finest gamers in school basketball since stepping foot onto the USC campus as a freshman final yr.
- Watkins tore her ACL early within the Trojans’ second-round win over Mississippi State.
- The Trojans nonetheless gained, however their championship hopes might be gone with Watkins out.
The USC Trojans are one of many high groups within the girls’s NCAA Match, and the principle motive for that’s Juju Watkins. The do-everything sophomore ahead is without doubt one of the high gamers in school basketball, and arguably, a future WNBA star.
Nevertheless, the Trojans’ season now hangs within the steadiness as Watkins tore her ACL on Monday in USC’s second-round win over Mississippi State.
Watkins was harm within the first quarter of the highest seed Trojans’ 96-59 rout of the #9 Bulldogs.
Watkins’ knee buckled on a quick break, and she or he went down immediately, holding the knee. It didn’t look good from the second it occurred, and it was regarding that Watkins needed to be carried off the ground. However it didn’t postpone the Trojans, who outscored the Bulldogs 28-8 within the first quarter, and rolled from there.
Ahead Kiki Iriafen picked up the slack from Watkins, dropping 36 factors on 16-of-22 capturing, together with 9 boards. Avery Howell got here off the bench with 18 for the Trojans, who held Mississippi State to 31.3% capturing from the ground and compelled 20 turnovers.
Nevertheless, the story of the sport was Watkins, who’s the principle drive behind USC’s 2025 March Madness odds. Watkins was the Massive Ten Participant of the 12 months as she led USC to the Massive Ten regular-season title.
She made her second unanimous All-America workforce. Watkins can also be the favourite to win the Girls’s Picket Participant of the 12 months award. The Los Angeles native was fifth within the nation with 23.9 factors, and she or he added 6.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.2 steals, and 1.8 blocks for the Trojans.
However Watkins’ season is over now, and she or he’ll have surgical procedure so she will be able to begin her rehab as quickly as potential. Fingers crossed it’s going to go properly for her, however even within the best-case state of affairs, she’ll miss a few of subsequent season.
What Does This Imply for Watkins and the Trojans?
It’s powerful on the Trojans, who have been one of many 4 #1 seeds and a workforce with a practical shot on the title, so long as Watkins was wholesome. Nevertheless, USC’s March Insanity odds have already dropped, and bookies are nonetheless making an attempt to determine the Trojan women’s Sweet 16 odds in opposition to #5 Kansas State on Saturday night time.
On the intense facet, Iriafen additionally had a terrific common season and positively stepped up when Watkins went down.
But, she’s not Watkins, and if they’ll get previous the Wildcats, USC might be in for a rematch with UConn. The Trojans beat the Huskies 72-70 on the street in December, and UConn will need their revenge.
As for Watkins, she is going to must be affected person earlier than returning to the courtroom. ACL accidents often take six to 9 months, relying on the particular person.
At that price, Watkins will likely be again by the point USC begins convention play subsequent season. However she may additionally take a medical redshirt yr and miss all of subsequent season. Watkins isn’t eligible for the WNBA Draft till she is 22 anyway, so there may be loads of time. She’ll positively be disillusioned to overlook out on the remainder of the season, however Watkins has her total profession in entrance of her at 19.
We count on her to be again stronger than ever after her rehab and want her all one of the best in her restoration.
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