March Madness Star Breaks Silence After Devastating Injury

USC’s Juju Watkins shared an emotional message with her team after the Trojans’ 78-64 loss to UConn in the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight on Monday.

After suffering a season-ending torn ACL in her right knee a mere five minutes into USC’s second-round win over Mississippi State, Watkins expressed her gratitude for the support fans and teammates showed her.

“Thank you all for the incredible love and support. Seeing all your messages has meant the world to me — y’all have given me so much hope,” she posted on her Instagram Story. “I wish I could have been out there battling, but I couldn’t be prouder of the fight we’ve fought together. Thank you all.”

JuJu via her Instagram Story ???????? pic.twitter.com/ZiDWw8TPJL

— Watkins Report (@JWatkinsReport) April 1, 2025

USC, a No. 1 seed, ended its season with the loss to UConn, who advanced to their 24th Final Four. Led by Paige Bueckers, the Huskies are set to face UCLA next.

Watkins was instrumental in securing USC’s No. 1 seed, having averaged 24.6 points per game. Her injury occurred during a fast break when she was fouled and fell awkwardly, ultimately requiring surgery.

In an interview with ESPN, USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb acknowledged the uncertainty of next season without Watkins.

“Those aren’t conversations for right now, but I do think we will dive into how do we stay an elite team regardless of those circumstances?,” she said. “We will have time to figure out how to be great, even if JuJu isn’t out there.”

However, Gottlieb had no doubt of Watkins’ eventual return.

“But I have no doubt that her comeback’s going to be legendary, and I have no doubt that the strength of the program is not in doubt, and I think we proved that,” she said.