Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark send prayers to JuJu Watkins after USC star's heartbreaking injury

JuJu Watkins has taken the assemblage hoops satellite by storm. But, the Southern California defender suffered a devastating, season-ending genu wounded during a second-round crippled successful the NCAA women's tourney connected Monday.

Watkins, 19, was carried disconnected the tribunal successful the archetypal 4th of USC's eventual triumph implicit Mississippi State. ESPN, citing sources, aboriginal reported that Watkins tore her close ACL and would miss the remainder of the tournament. A squad spokesperson confirmed plans to person the sophomore acquisition country and past commencement rehabilitation. 

The heartbreaking infinitesimal sparked a sizeable magnitude of absorption crossed the sports world, with WNBA prima Angel Reese being among those who shared a connection of enactment to Watkins.

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Chicago Sky guardant Angel Reese (5) looks to walk the shot against the Las Vegas Aces during the archetypal fractional astatine Wintrust Arena.  (Kamil Krzaczynski/USA TODAY Sports)

"Prayers for Juju," Reese wrote connected X, formerly known arsenic Twitter, on with a sad-face and praying hands emoji.

Caitlin Clark, the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year, besides shared a connection of enactment for Watkins. "Sending each my thoughts and prayers to JuJu. Kid volition travel backmost stronger than ever," Clark wrote connected X.

Watkins was fouled arsenic she drove to the handbasket connected a accelerated interruption astir 5 minutes into Monday's game. Her close genu appeared to buckle connected the play, which caused her to autumn onto the hardwood. She remained connected the level for good implicit a infinitesimal and was successful disposable symptom arsenic she grabbed her knee.

Southern California defender JuJu Watkins (12) controls the shot against Mississippi State defender Jerkaila Jordan (2) during the archetypal fractional successful the 2nd circular of the NCAA assemblage hoops tourney Monday, March 24, 2025, successful Los Angeles.  (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

The Trojans' 96-59 triumph connected Monday secured a spot successful the Sweet 16, but losing Waktins volition apt person a drastic interaction connected the tournament's landscape. USC entered March Madness with a apical effect arsenic the programme eyed a imaginable tally to a nationalist title.

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Watkins enactment unneurotic an outstanding freshman run during the 2023-24 season, and her awesome show continued this year. The Los Angeles autochthonal averaged 23.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists implicit 33 games this season.

Southern California defender JuJu Watkins (12) reacts connected the level aft an wounded during the archetypal fractional against Mississippi State successful the 2nd circular of the NCAA assemblage hoops tourney Monday, March 24, 2025, successful Los Angeles.  (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Watkins averaged 27.1 points per crippled during her freshman year. Clark, the NCAA Division I all-time starring scorer crossed men's and women's basketball, is the lone subordinate to mean much points than Watkins that season.

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Watkins earned Big Ten Player of the Year honors and was a unanimous first-team All-American for a 2nd consecutive year. USC volition conscionable No. 5 Kansas State successful the Sweet 16 connected Friday successful Spokane, Washington.

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