LOS ANGELES — USC star JuJu Watkins will miss the remainder of the women’s NCAA tournament after suffering a torn ACL in her right knee during the Trojans’ second-round game against Mississippi State, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Monday night.
A team spokesperson said Watkins would undergo season-ending surgery and then begin rehabilitation.
Watkins had to be carried off the court because of the injury just five minutes into USC’s 96-59 win that propelled the Trojans into the Sweet 16 for a second straight season.
As Watkins drove to the basket on a fast break between two defenders, she was fouled and her right knee buckled as she planted her leg, causing her to collapse to the floor. Watkins immediately grabbed her knee and stayed down for over a minute.
The crowd at Galen Center collectively held its breath as trainers eventually had to lift up Watkins…
