Every fan of women’s basketball anxiously awaited the MRI results for USC star guard Juju Watkins on Monday evening.
The Trojans’ First-Team All-American suffered a hard fall during USC’s second-round NCAA Tournament game against Mississippi State and had to be helped off the court by the team’s medical staff.
Late Monday night, it was confirmed that Watkins had torn the ACL in her right knee and would require surgery. While many had feared this outcome, the reality that she will miss the remainder of March Madness and much of next season is now sinking in.
Following the announcement, an outpouring of support flooded in from fellow athletes, analysts, and fans across the country. Even one of the WNBA’s biggest stars reached out to offer words of encouragement.
Caitlin Clark Sends Message to Juju Watkins
On Tuesday morning, Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark took to X (formerly Twitter) to express her support for Watkins after the devastating injury.
“Sending all my thoughts and prayers to Juju (Watkins),” Clark wrote. “(The) Kid will come back stronger than ever.”
Clark’s words likely mean a lot to Watkins, as both players share a unique understanding of the pressure that comes with being a face of women’s college basketball. They also know the weight of expectations and the disappointment that comes with an injury of this magnitude.
However, while fans are heartbroken for Watkins, they are not disappointed in her—a key distinction. Supporters recognize that her success is about more than just individual accolades; it’s about her contributions to her team and her legacy.
Despite this emotional setback, USC remains in a strong position to make a deep tournament run. While losing Watkins is a significant blow, the Trojans proved on Monday that they can rally together and continue their pursuit of a championship.