Somber Reaction To USC Trojans' JuJu Watkins' Season-Ending Injury

USC Trojans women's basketball guard JuJu Watkins tore her ACL in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. News that Watkins's season would be over took the sports world by storm. Stars like Caitlin Clark, Magic Johnson, and others posted a message to Watkins on social media.

Mar 24, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) during pregame warmups before an NCAA Tournament second round game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images / Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

USC Trojans women’s basketball star guard JuJu Watkins tore her ACL in the first quarter of the game against Mississippi State. While the Trojans still won the game, the news that Watkins would be out for the remainder of the season took the sports world by storm.

Mar 24, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) during pregame warmups before an NCAA Tournament second round game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images / Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Watkins is one of the many faces of college basketball. The news about Watkins missing the remainder of the season spread quickly, resulting in many athletes taking to social media to send their thoughts and prayers to the USC star.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark sent a message of prayers to the USC guard. 

Sending all my thoughts and prayers to JuJu. Kid will come back stronger than ever ❤️

— Caitlin Clark (@CaitlinClark22) March 25, 2025

Former Los Angeles Lakers superstar Magic Johnson is another notable athlete to send a thoughtful message to Watkins after she sustained her injury.

Devastated to hear the news that Juju Watkins tore her ACL last night. I’m praying for a speedy recovery, but I know Juju is a competitor and will be back stronger and better! 🙏🏾

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) March 25, 2025

Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese was one of the first to post on social media about Watkins.

Prayers for Juju! 🥺🙏🏽

— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) March 25, 2025

Other notable people to send a message to Watkins are Indiana Pacers forward Aliyah Boston, LSU guard Flau'jae Johnson, WNBA legend Lisa Leslie, broadcaster Ros Gold-Onwude, and many more.

Watkins' sophomore year ended in a devastating way, but that does not take away all she has accomplished this season. Watkins averaged 23.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.6 steals, and 2.2 blocks.

After the win, USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb addressed the team in the locker room.

“I just, I am so grateful, you guys had my back, you had each other’s back, you had Ju’s back, the fans had your back, we were a team,” Gottlieb said. “And I will never forget this game for as long as I live.”

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The Trojans are headed to the Sweet 16, where they will face the Kansas State Wildcats. Gottlieb sent a message to her team about moving forward in the tournament.

“It’s a big deal to go to the Sweet 16. We are going to Spokane. We are going as a team,” Gottlieb continued. “You gotta bring the energy and the fight and say we don’t change our goals right, but we give a little extra energy, you know, for what she would bring, but just to say anytime we’re a man down we step up for one another because that’s who we are.”

Gottlieb compared the Women of Troy to a tidal wave for how the team came together and won the game, despite a heartbreaking loss. 

Mar 22, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lindsay Gottlieb greets guard JuJu Watkins (12) as she comes out of the game in the fourth quarter of an NCAA Tournament game against the UNC Greensboro Spartans at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images / Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

“You guys did something really special today,” Gottlieb said. “How incredibly proud I am of the way you stepped up for one another, this school, each other, and it was a tidal wave of a team.”

Instead of letting Watkins’ injury defeat USC, the Trojans came together as a team. They needed everyone to step up, and they did. Five players scored double–digit points for USC, and forward Kiki Iriafen stepped up as a true leader. 

Iriafen scored 36 points and kept the crowd's energy high at Galen Center. Iriafen helped keep her team mentally in the game, and it paid off with a 96-59 win.

USC will have to move on in the tournament without their star guard. The Trojans will face Kansas State on Saturday, March 29, at 5 p.m. PT at Spokane Arena.

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