JuJu Watkins injury update: USC gives terrible update on star guard

Everyone in Los Angeles held their breath on Monday because of JuJu Watkins. One of college basketball’s top players went down in pain in a second-round game against Mississippi State. Watkins was holding her knee on the ground before being helped back to the USC locker room.

Shortly after, an update on Watkins was provided by the team itself. And it’s not one USC far are going to want to hear. The Trojans announced Watkins will not to return to the game but is still being evaluated by the medical staff.

“JuJu Watkins is being evaluated by USC Keck Medicine staff and will not return to competition in tonight’s NCAA Second Round game,” USC’s Women’s Basketball said via X.

Watkins leaves the game with just three points to her name, going 0-2 from the field. Free throws were how she got on the board, going three of four from the line. You can add two assists and a rebound to the stat line too.

If USC were to advance, Kansas State would be waiting for them in the Sweet Sixteen. But for now, taking down Mississippi State is top priority followed by figuring out the long-term health of Watkins.

ESPN’s Holly Rowe reveals USC mindset after JuJu Watkins injury

Despite Watkins’ departure, her squad outscored Mississippi State 15-5 in the final half of the quarter played without her on the court. Entering the second quarter, ESPN’s Holly Rowe provided a brief update on the Trojans’ mindset after losing their scoring leader.

“It’s been kind of a wild emotional roller coaster over here,” Rowe explained. “When the injury first happened, players came to the bench and kind of stunned and shocked and very upset. They had to quickly regroup. Lindsey Gottlieb took a big, deep breath to coach and then they got back to basketball. In that last timeout, they are just talking about Xs and Os but it is freshmen who are having to step up right now.

“Two true freshmen out on the court, they will have to be the people that bring them back. One other note, I have seen quite a few people leave the stands to go back and check on JuJu, including the athletic director Jen Cohen, other people who I assume are medical personnel and team doctors. I’ll keep you posted as soon as I know more.”

On3’s Barkley Truax contributed to this report