USC guard JuJu Watkins jumped out to her usual excellent start Monday in the second round of the NCAA tournament, putting up three points, a rebound and two assists as the Trojans went up 13–2 on Mississippi State in the first quarter.
Then, all hell broke loose. Watkins took a frightening spill chasing after a loose ball, and had to be carried off the court with an apparent knee injury.
The sequence invited an outpouring of support for Watkins, a two-time All-American and one of college basketball's brightest young stars. Fans were in broad agreement that the injury didn't look good.
Oh no JuJu's down
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) March 25, 2025
Hope she's alright 🙏 pic.twitter.com/ie3vagdG5k
Some offered their own good health for Watkins's.
no JuJu Watkins .. take my knee 🥺 pic.twitter.com/zJwh0lWVOD
— 🎱 (@s3_adot) March 25, 2025
Juju Watkins please take my knee pic.twitter.com/rFZQrrA1rn
— Ben Houselog (@benlikessport) March 25, 2025
The reality that basketball can be a cruel game was brought to the forefront.
Really hoping this JuJu Watkins injury isn't as bad as it looks. Whole crowd is stunned. Her teammates look lost. She was on a fast break and it just looked like something bad happened. Love this sport. Hate to see these moments.
— Myron Medcalf (@MedcalfByESPN) March 25, 2025
Fans worked their way through the stages of grief even as Watkins's status remained unknown.
the nation is in mourning for juju watkins rn. pic.twitter.com/xAI1QnhksU
— mirio (@mirio26s) March 25, 2025
All in all, the response was a much-needed spark of positivity as a national championship contender and its star deal with an uncertain future.
Praying for good news and good health for JuJu Watkins🙏🏽
— Ros Gold-Onwude (@ROSGO21) March 25, 2025