Top US College, NBA Stars Face Season-Impacting Injuries

Several notable injuries are impacting college basketball and NBA teams as they prepare for the 2025-26 season. USC women's basketball star JuJu Watkins, the reigning AP Player of the Year, will miss the entire season recovering from a torn ACL suffered during the NCAA Tournament in March. In the NBA, Philadelphia 76ers' promising rookie Jared McCain suffered a right thumb UCL tear, which could sideline him at least at the start of the season, compounding the team's existing injury challenges. The Portland Trail Blazers also face setbacks as Scoot Henderson, a young talent, will miss at least two months due to a left hamstring tear. In college basketball, Arizona State's Marcus Adams Jr., a key offseason addition, is expected to miss the start of the season due to a foot injury but could return by late October, adding to the team's roster challenges. These injuries highlight the ongoing difficulties teams face with player health as they aim to compete in their respective upcoming seasons.