LOS ANGELES — USC star JuJu Watkins will miss the remainder of the women’s NCAA tournament after suffering a torn ACL in her right knee during the Trojans’ second-round game against Mississippi State, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Monday night.
A team spokesperson said Watkins will undergo season-ending surgery and then begin rehabilitation.
Watkins had to be carried off the court with the injury just five minutes into USC’s 96-59 win that propelled the Trojans into the Sweet 16 for a second straight year.
As Watkins drove to the basket on a fast break between two defenders, she was fouled and her right knee buckled as she planted her right leg, causing her to collapse to the floor. Watkins immediately grabbed her right knee and stayed down for over a minute.
The crowd at Galen Center collectively held its breath as trainers eventually had to lift up Watkins and carry her into the locker room. She was 0-of-2 shooting, with three free throws, one rebound and two assists before exiting.
The team announced at halftime that Watkins was being evaluated by medical staff and would not return. In her absence, Kiki Iriafen scored a season-high 36 points on 16-of-22 shooting to go along with 9 rebounds.
After Watkins was hurt, the crowd loudly booed Mississippi State every time it had the ball. The school’s cheerleaders were booed during their halftime routine and the crowd got on the team again as it warmed up for the second half.
“She’s the key for us. We didn’t want to let her down,” Iriafen told ESPN afterward. “We just want to keep dancing, so whatever it takes is what I wanted to do. I think it just shows our toughness.”
Watkins, an Associated Press All-American selection and a contender for national player of the year, averaged 24.6 points, 7 rebounds and 3.5 assists this season and had been the driving force behind the Trojans’ 29-3 campaign, one that saw them earn the fourth No. 1 seed in this year’s NCAA tournament.
“This team rallied, they rallied for her, they rallied for each other,” Gottlieb said.
USC reached the Elite Eight in Watkins’ first season a year ago, losing to Paige Bueckers and UConn. The teams could meet again in a regional final in Spokane, Washington, this year.
Information from The Associated Press was included in this report.