USC Star Athlete Watkins Sidelined for Season Due to ACL Tear
USC’s JuJu Watkins to Miss 2025-26 Season Due to Injury
JuJu Watkins Sidelined Following ACL Injury
USC basketball star JuJu Watkins has announced she will miss the entire 2025-26 college basketball season to focus on recovering from a right ACL tear. Watkins sustained this injury during the second round of the NCAA tournament and shared her decision on Sunday, highlighting the extensive healing and reflection she has undergone over the past months.
A Personal Message to Fans and Supporters
Sharing her journey on Instagram, Watkins expressed gratitude for the love and support she’s received, which has been crucial during this challenging period. She stated, “Because you’ve been with me every step of the way, I wanted you to hear it from me directly that following the advice of my doctors and trainers, I will sit out this season and fully focus on continuing to recover so I can come back to the game I love.”
Impacting USC and Her Future Prospects
Despite the setback, Watkins’s impressive record as a sophomore remains a highlight. She averaged 23.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.2 steals, securing multiple player of the year awards and All-American honors. This performance cements her status as a top WNBA prospect at just 20 years old.
USC Coach and Team Support
USC Coach Lindsay Gottlieb expressed full support for Watkins’s focus on recovery, emphasizing the importance of her health and well-being. “We will certainly miss her impact on the court, but she continues to play a vital role in our program as a leader and teammate,” Gottlieb noted, reflecting on the strength and maturity Watkins has displayed.
Team Dynamics Amid Player Departures
USC faces adjustments beyond Watkins’s absence, including the graduations of Kiki Iriafen, Rayah Marshall, and Talia von Oelhoffen, along with transfers Avery Howell and Kayleigh Heckel. However, the team aims to balance these changes with the addition of top recruit Jasmine Davidson.
Through resilience and dedication to her recovery, Watkins remains optimistic, saying, “I’m excited to keep putting the work in to come back even stronger.”
