JuJu Watkins Scores 22 Despite Injuries in USC's NCAA Victory

USC's JuJu Watkins faced injury concerns during the Trojans' 71-25 victory over UNC Greensboro in the first round of the NCAA women's basketball tournament. Despite suffering a left wrist injury and rolling her ankle, Watkins downplayed the seriousness of her injuries postgame, stating, "It's the end of the season, body’s a little banged up, but onto the next." She had a standout performance with 22 points, eight rebounds, and three steals in just 28 minutes of play. Coach Lindsay Gottlieb expressed confidence in Watkins' assessment of her condition, allowing her to continue playing despite the injuries. The sophomore guard, who averages 24.6 points per game, remains a crucial player for USC as they advance to face Mississippi State in the next round. Her resilience and performance keep her a leading candidate for the Naismith Women's College Player of the Year Award.