JuJu Watkins suffers season-ending knee injury, USC advances in NCAA Tournament

USC women's basketball star JuJu Watkins suffered a severe knee injury during the second round of the NCAA Tournament, leading to her being carried off the court in distress. The incident occurred early in the first quarter against Mississippi State, and it has been confirmed that she will require surgery for a torn ACL, sidelining her for the rest of the season. Despite her injury, USC secured a dominant 96-59 victory and advanced to the Sweet 16, showcasing a strong team effort led by senior Kiki Iriafen's 36-point performance. The basketball community, including athletes like Angel Reese and Aliyah Boston, expressed their support for Watkins via social media, highlighting the impact of her injury on the sport. Coach Lindsay Gottlieb praised her team's resilience in the face of adversity but acknowledged the emotional toll of seeing Watkins in pain. Going forward, USC will face Kansas State in the next round, but the absence of their leading scorer poses a significant challenge to their championship aspirations.