The atmosphere inside Galen Center turned eerily silent as JuJu Watkins collapsed to the floor, writhing in pain. The USC superstar’s season has ended in heartbreak, as she now faces surgery and a grueling recovery ahead. For the college basketball world, it’s a devastating loss—one of the game’s brightest young talents sidelined at the worst possible moment.
ACL tears have become almost routine in sports, but Watkins’ injury felt anything but ordinary. In real time, it looked bad. In slow motion, it appeared catastrophic. This was more than a standard ligament tear—it had the potential to be far worse.
The way her knee twisted and buckled suggested something even more severe—possibly a meniscus tear or even a full knee fracture. But in what can only be considered the best possible outcome under the circumstances, a team spokesperson confirmed that the damage was limited to just the ACL. It’s a small silver lining, but history has proven that elite athletes can return stronger than ever from this very injury.
Watkins was driving to the rim on a fast break, weaving past defenders, when contact sent her crashing down. As she planted her right foot, her knee gave out, sending her sprawling onto the hardwood. She immediately clutched at it, motionless for over a minute. From the moment it happened, it was clear—this wasn’t a minor tweak. It was serious.
A Chilling Reminder of Past Injuries
The crowd sat in stunned silence as trainers helped Watkins off the court and into the locker room. The scene felt eerily reminiscent of Cameron Brink’s pre-Olympics injury, which forced her into rehab instead of competing on the international stage. Brink will soon dominate in the WNBA with the Los Angeles Sparks, and now, Watkins will look to follow that same path to recovery.
This injury stings even more because Watkins isn’t just a college star—she’s a future pro. If all goes according to plan, she could declare for the WNBA Draft in 2026 or remain at USC until 2027. Either way, the basketball world is watching, knowing she has everything it takes to be a franchise cornerstone at the next level.
USC fans made their emotions loud and clear. The moment Watkins went down, Mississippi State became the villain of the night, with every possession drowned out by boos. Watkins, an Associated Press All-American and a legitimate National Player of the Year contender, was the heart and soul of a USC squad that finished 30-3 with a coveted No. 1 seed. Now, her teammates must press on without her on the floor.
JuJu Watkins will return. And when she does, the game better be ready.
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