JuJu Watkins Injury Shakes Women’s March Madness 2025 \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ USC superstar JuJu Watkins is out of the NCAA Tournament with a season-ending knee injury, stunning the women’s college basketball world. Coaches, analysts, and fans are mourning the loss of one of the sport’s brightest stars just as March Madness reaches its peak. Her absence is expected to impact both viewership and tournament momentum.
JuJu Watkins Injury Shakes Women’s NCAA Tournament: Quick Looks
- USC’s JuJu Watkins suffers season-ending knee injury during second-round game
- South Carolina’s Dawn Staley, Caitlin Clark, and others show support
- Attendance and ratings down compared to 2024’s record-setting tournament
- Watkins averaged 27.1 PPG, ranked No. 2 nationally
- NIL deals valued at over $700,000 with major brands like Nike and Gatorade
- Paige Bueckers, Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese among stars expected to carry the torch
- Watkins’ loss highlights vulnerability of women’s basketball star power
Deep Look
The NCAA Women’s Tournament was dealt a crushing blow this week with the loss of JuJu Watkins, one of the brightest stars in college basketball. The USC sophomore guard suffered a season-ending knee injury just minutes into the Trojans’ second-round win over Mississippi State, and the entire sports world—from coaches to fans to media—has been grappling with the ripple effects.
As the postseason heats up and March Madness enters the Sweet 16, the absence of Watkins isn’t just a personnel loss for the Trojans. It’s a seismic shift for a sport that has been riding unprecedented momentum, fueled by superstar talent, surging attendance, and record-breaking media coverage. Watkins was not only one of the nation’s top scorers, but also a rising cultural icon, poised to help carry the women’s game into a new era.
Now, that future is on pause.
How It Happened: A Gut-Wrenching Injury
The moment unfolded just five minutes into USC’s second-round tournament game. On a fast break, Watkins planted her right foot—and her knee gave way. She collapsed instantly in visible agony, unable to walk off the court on her own. USC later confirmed she would undergo surgery, ending her season.
The injury devastated not just her teammates but the entire women’s basketball landscape. South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley said she texted Watkins immediately after seeing what happened:
“JuJu is loved by all of us… It was really tough to see her in pain.”
Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Magic Johnson, and many other athletes and celebrities took to social media to express heartbreak and support. Clark posted:
“Sending all my thoughts and prayers to JuJu. Kid will come back stronger than ever.”
A Star on the Rise — And Now on the Sidelines
At just 19, JuJu Watkins had become the face of the post-Caitlin Clark era, poised to lead a new generation of fans into the future of women’s hoops. Averaging 27.1 points per game, she ranked No. 2 nationally in scoring and led USC to its best season in over two decades.
Her cultural reach extended far beyond the court. Watkins’ NIL portfolio is one of the most impressive in the NCAA, with deals from Nike, Fanatics, State Farm, Gatorade, Degree, Funko, and United Airlines. Her estimated NIL value stands at $739,000, according to On3.com, making her one of the top-earning female athletes in college sports.
USC’s home arena, Galen Center, became a celebrity hotspot this season. Stars like Snoop Dogg, Michael B. Jordan, and Vanessa Bryant were regularly courtside, a testament to Watkins’ magnetic appeal.
Now, that spotlight dims.
Tournament Viewership and Attendance Take a Hit
The 2024 women’s tournament was a ratings phenomenon. This year, however, early signs suggest the sport is feeling Watkins’ absence.
- First-round viewership: 367,000 average viewers per game, down 22% from 2024
- In-person attendance: 224,972 across the first two rounds, down 30% from last year’s record of 292,456
Those numbers are still strong—this year ranks third all-time—but the contrast from last year’s meteoric rise is stark.
It mirrors the drop in men’s basketball viewership after the famed Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird showdown in the 1979 NCAA Championship. As Rebecca Lobo put it:
“She’s such an extraordinary player. People would be watching her for the first time in regionals. It’s a massive disappointment and a blow to the momentum we’ve built over the last 18 months.”
Filling the Void: A New Spotlight on Other Stars
With Watkins sidelined, the torch will likely pass—at least for this tournament—to Paige Bueckers, the UConn star making a comeback of her own after an ACL injury. UConn’s Sweet 16 push is gaining attention, and their 2nd-round blowout of South Dakota State was the most-watched game, drawing 1.7 million viewers.
Bueckers’ story is inspiring and impactful, but even she acknowledges the magnitude of Watkins’ absence. UCLA coach Cori Close said:
“JuJu will come back better and stronger. She’s a fighter. But in the meantime, it’s an opportunity for others to step into the spotlight.”
That spotlight could fall on:
- Caitlin Clark (Iowa): Still the sport’s top draw
- Angel Reese (LSU): Controversial, confident, and clutch
- Kamilla Cardoso (South Carolina): Dominant inside presence
- Hailey Van Lith (LSU): Poised for a deep run
- Aaliyah Edwards (UConn): A vital component to a title run
But Watkins brought a unique combination of elite scoring, charisma, West Coast cool, and commercial clout that set her apart. Losing her in this stage isn’t just a setback for USC—it’s a blow to the entire ecosystem of the women’s game.
Watkins’ Legacy and the Road Ahead
Though her sophomore season ends prematurely, Watkins has already made an indelible mark on the sport. She led USC to its deepest run since the 1990s, helped push the boundaries of women’s basketball marketability, and inspired a new wave of fans and athletes.
Her rehab journey will be closely followed, and given the medical advancements and athlete resources available, there’s strong optimism that she’ll return as dominant—if not more so—next season.
“This is part of the game, unfortunately,” said Staley. “But knowing JuJu, she’ll rise from this, stronger in every way.”
As for the NCAA Tournament, fans may now be watching with mixed feelings: excitement for what’s ahead, but with the lingering sense that something essential is missing.
The tournament continues—but for many, it’s just not the same without JuJu.
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