USC’s championship aspirations took a major hit as star guard JuJu Watkins suffered a season-ending ACL tear during the team’s NCAA Tournament second-round victory over Mississippi State on Monday night.
The devastating injury, confirmed by the university, will require surgery followed by a lengthy rehabilitation process.
Impact on USC’s Tournament Run
The No. 1 seed Trojans will now have to navigate the remainder of the tournament without their top scorer.
USC is set to face No. 5 seed Kansas State in the Sweet 16 in Spokane, Washington, on Saturday, but Watkins’ absence leaves a massive void.
According to the New York Times, the freshman phenom was the second-leading scorer in the nation, averaging 24.6 points per game, and had established herself as one of the brightest stars in women’s college basketball.
Understanding an ACL Tear and Recovery Timeline
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a crucial stabilizing ligament in the knee, and a full tear—like the one Watkins has suffered—typically requires a 9-to-12-month recovery period post-surgery.
The severity of ACL injuries varies, with most basketball players experiencing a Grade 3 tear, meaning a complete rupture of the ligament.
Recent cases in women’s college basketball provide some insight into Watkins’ potential recovery timeline. UConn’s Azzi Fudd and Notre Dame’s Olivia Miles both faced ACL injuries that sidelined them for at least a full season.
Texas’ Rori Harmon returned to action in roughly 10 months, while others, like Washington State’s Charlisse Leger-Walker, required additional recovery time and redshirted an entire season.
Will Watkins Miss the 2025-26 Season?
With the injury occurring in March 2024, Watkins could theoretically return near the tail end of the 2025 regular season if her rehabilitation progresses smoothly.
However, reintroducing a star player late in a high-stakes season poses challenges.
A comparison can be drawn to Notre Dame’s Olivia Miles, who tore her ACL in February 2023 and missed the entire 2023-24 season to ensure a full recovery.
If USC and Watkins choose a similar path, she could redshirt the 2025-26 season and return fully healthy for the 2026-27 campaign.
Can Watkins Make a Full Comeback?
History suggests that an ACL injury is a setback but not a career-ending event.
Several all-time greats, including Candace Parker, Sue Bird, and Tamika Catchings, overcame similar injuries to achieve legendary careers.
More recently, UConn’s Paige Bueckers returned from an ACL tear to have her best collegiate season.
Watkins’ immense talent and work ethic suggest she has a strong chance of making a full recovery and returning to dominance.
If she redshirts, she will have at least one more season of college eligibility before heading to the WNBA, where she is expected to be a top draft pick.
The Road Ahead
For now, Watkins will focus on surgery and rehabilitation while her USC teammates push forward in the tournament.
Though her absence will be deeply felt, the 18-year-old still has a promising future ahead.
Whether she returns late next season or takes additional time to recover, Watkins’ impact on women’s basketball is far from over.
