The world of university basketball was in a state of shock when the female basketball star of the Trojans of the USC, Juju Watkins, suffered a knee injury that ended the season during the Team’s madness game against the state of Mississippi earlier this week.
Sue Bird, a WNBA legend and university basketball in its own right, was also amazed.
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The Guard of the Trojans of the USC, Juju Watkins, #12, grabs the knee after falling to the floor during the first quarter of a game of the second round of the NCAA tournament against the bulldogs of the state of Mississippi in the Galen Center in Los Angeles on March 24, 2025. (Images Robert Hanashiro-Imagn)
“My initial thinking was like, F —,” he said in the podcast, “Touch More” with Megan Rapinoe. “F — For female basketball, F — for the tournament and then F — for Juju. Because now, you know, this marks a long rehabilitation, this marks mentally and physically.
“But it is not the end of anything. It is just the end of this particular race and Juju will be fine. She will return to the court. Yes, it is a difficult rehabilitation. But I know that when I broke my ACL, my life changed, my career changed, I changed the trajectory safely.”
Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark sends prayers to Juju Watkins after the heartbreaking injury of the USC star
The Guard of the Trojans of the USC, Juju Watkins, #12, during the warm -up prior to the game before a game of the second round of the NCAA tournament against the Bulldogs of the state of Mississippi at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on March 24, 2025. (Images Robert Hanashiro-Imagn)
Bird said he understood a torn acl “feels like a death sentence,” but said it wasn’t. He will succeed for now due to the “incredible career” that Watkins was, he said.
ESPN reported that Watkins broke his ACL when he went down to the ground.
Watkins has been one of the most prolific scorers in university basketball since he entered the university ranks last season. She was the second leading scorer of the nation this season, averaging 24.6 points, 7 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.
The Guard of the Trojans of the USC Rian Forestier, #4, and the Guard of the Trojans of the USC, Juju Watkins, #12, during the warm -up prior to the game before a second round game of the NCAA tournament against the bulldogs of the state of Mississippi at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on March 24, 2025. (Images Robert Hanashiro-Imagn)
USC is back at the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive year.
