JuJu Watkins ACL: Shama Charania delivers news USC fans were hoping wouldn't come

It wasn't supposed to end like this for USC superstar JuJu Watkins. Entering the 2025 NCAA Tournament, Watkins was ready to try and help the Trojans push for a national championship. Unfortunately, her March Madness is over after just two games.

On Monday night, early on against Mississippi State, Watkins drove down the court and she collided awkwardly with two defenders. She fell to the hardwood, screaming in pain while clutching her knee. At around 1:40 a.m. ET, 10:40 p.m. PT, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Watkins has suffered a torn ACL. She's now out for the rest of the tournament and a long road to recovery is on the way for her:

USC guard JuJu Watkins has suffered a torn ACL, ending her season

From the moment Watkins fell to the ground against the Bulldogs, USC fans were fearing the worst here. There were multiple different angles of the injury too, with it looking like her right knee just gave out on her. This is a blow not only for the USC faithful, but college hoops fans everywhere.

Watkins has been so much fun to watch this season. She recently took home All-American honors and rightfully so. She was averaging nearly 25 points a game - Watkins was the key reason the Trojans have looked so strong this year and why they have a No. 1 seed for the Big Dance.

The expectation was that Watkins indeed would have her team ready to fight for the title. Instead, she has suffered this setback and the rest of the NCAA Tournament will be played without her. USC was able to take care of business against Mississippi State and it is now moving on to the Sweet Sixteen.

However, losing a player of Watkins' caliber is a massive blow for head coach Lindsay Gottlieb. The Trojans are loaded with talent and depth, but you better believe their odds of winning it all will go down in head-turning fashion with Watkins now done for the year.