News Summary
Southern California basketball star JuJu Watkins has announced she will sit out the upcoming season as she focuses on recovering from a torn ACL injury. This decision follows her injury during the NCAA Tournament. Watkins expressed gratitude on social media for the support she has received and emphasized her commitment to her rehabilitation. As an AP Player of the Year and a key player for the USC Trojans, her absence will be felt this season. The basketball community has shown extensive support during her recovery journey.
Los Angeles – Southern California star JuJu Watkins has announced that she will sit out the entire 2025-26 season following her recovery from a torn ACL injury. This decision comes nearly six months after Watkins suffered the injury during the second round of the NCAA Tournament on March 24, 2025, in a matchup against Mississippi State. The announcement was made through her social media platforms, where she shared her reflections on her recovery journey, expressing gratitude for the support she has received.
Watkins emphasized that she is prioritizing her healing process, stating her adherence to the recommendations of her medical team. As she focuses on her rehabilitation, the USC women’s basketball team will miss out on her significant contributions for the upcoming season. Last season, Watkins was recognized as the AP Player of the Year, leading the Trojans to their best campaign in four decades. She became only the fourth player to win this prestigious award in her sophomore year, joining notable names like Courtney Paris, Maya Moore, and Breanna Stewart. Additionally, Watkins made history as the first USC player to earn the AP Player of the Year award since its inception in 1995.
USC women’s basketball head coach Lindsay Gottlieb reiterated that the health of Watkins is of utmost importance and that she fully supports the player’s decision to take the season off for recovery. The Trojans enter this season as the defending Big Ten regular season champions and have achieved back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Elite Eight, marking a period of success for the program.
JuJu Watkins has already established herself as a key player within the USC framework, ranking ninth on the school’s career scoring list. Before her injury in the previous season, she averaged impressive stats of 23.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game, showcasing her significant impact on the court. The injury during March Madness notably altered the trajectory of the tournament, receiving attention from various media, including ESPN’s coverage.
The response from the basketball community has been supportive, with numerous WNBA stars, including Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, sending their well wishes to Watkins after her injury. Following her surgery to repair the ACL, Watkins is in the midst of rehabilitation for her right knee. She is also eligible for a medical redshirt, which could extend her college eligibility by one year, adding a layer of intrigue to her future in collegiate basketball.
For her to be eligible for the WNBA draft, Watkins must either graduate early or be 22 years old by the time of the draft. With her birthday falling on July 15, 2005, she will turn 22 in July 2027, which means she cannot enter the 2026 WNBA draft unless she completes her college degree prior to that date. During her freshman season (2023-24), Watkins left a notable mark, averaging 27.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game, further establishing herself as a rising star in women’s basketball.
As JuJu Watkins steps back from competition to concentrate on her health and recovery, questions arise regarding her long-term future in college basketball and the WNBA, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding her next steps on and off the court.
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Additional Resources
- People: JuJu Watkins Misses Entire Season
- USA Today: JuJu Watkins Injury Update
- ABC7: JuJu Watkins Announcement
- RealGM: JuJu Watkins Out for Season
- ESPN: JuJu Watkins to Miss Season
- Wikipedia: ACL Injury
- Google Search: JuJu Watkins WNBA
- Google Scholar: JuJu Watkins
- Encyclopedia Britannica: JuJu Watkins
- Google News: JuJu Watkins ACL Injury
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