USC star JuJu Watkins sidelined for season to recover from ACL injury suffered in tourney
TOI World Desk | TOI Global Desk | Sep 30, 2025, 00:52 IST
USC guard JuJu Watkins announced she will miss the upcoming season to focus on recovering from a torn ACL suffered during last year’s NCAA Tournament. The AP Player of the Year and record-setting sophomore shared the update on Instagram. Watkins, already among USC’s all-time scoring leaders, is projected as a future top WNBA draft pick.
The University of Southern California guard Juju Watkins will miss this upcoming season, almost six months after suffering an ACL injury during last season’s NCAA tournament.
The South California phenom shared an emotional message on Sunday, Sept. 28, on her Instagram reflecting on her challenging journey back from the injury.
Watkins wrote on Instagram, “These last few months have been filled with a lot of healing, rest, and reflection,” she continued, “Recovering from this injury hasn’t been easy, and I want to say thank you — your love, support, and kind words have truly lifted me during one of the most challenging times in my life. 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.”
Watkins,20, finished her sophomore season with several accolades, including the AP player of the year honour. Watkins is the first USC player to win this award since AP started giving out in 1995, and she is also the fourth player to win this award in her sophomore season, joining elite players like UConn legends Maya Moore and Breanna Stewart, as well as Oklahoma's Courtney Paris.
Watkins, now a junior, is also the first Division 1 player to score at least 35 points, five blocks, and five assists in a game in the last 20 years.
During last year's March Madness game against Mississippi State, Watkins tore her anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee and missed out on her postseason.
“JuJu’s health and well-being are our top priority, and we fully support her decision to focus on recovery this season,” Lindsay Gottlieb, the USC women’s basketball coach, said.
Watkins is already among USC’s top 10 in all-time scoring list after averaging 23.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists before suffering a torn ACL.
Watkins is not eligible for the WNBA draft next year. However, Watkins has the potential to be the No. 1 overall pick in the draft whenever she decides to enter.
The South California phenom shared an emotional message on Sunday, Sept. 28, on her Instagram reflecting on her challenging journey back from the injury.
Watkins wrote on Instagram, “These last few months have been filled with a lot of healing, rest, and reflection,” she continued, “Recovering from this injury hasn’t been easy, and I want to say thank you — your love, support, and kind words have truly lifted me during one of the most challenging times in my life. 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.”
Watkins,20, finished her sophomore season with several accolades, including the AP player of the year honour. Watkins is the first USC player to win this award since AP started giving out in 1995, and she is also the fourth player to win this award in her sophomore season, joining elite players like UConn legends Maya Moore and Breanna Stewart, as well as Oklahoma's Courtney Paris.
Watkins, now a junior, is also the first Division 1 player to score at least 35 points, five blocks, and five assists in a game in the last 20 years.
During last year's March Madness game against Mississippi State, Watkins tore her anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee and missed out on her postseason.
“JuJu’s health and well-being are our top priority, and we fully support her decision to focus on recovery this season,” Lindsay Gottlieb, the USC women’s basketball coach, said.
Watkins is already among USC’s top 10 in all-time scoring list after averaging 23.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists before suffering a torn ACL.
Watkins is not eligible for the WNBA draft next year. However, Watkins has the potential to be the No. 1 overall pick in the draft whenever she decides to enter.