JuJu Watkins won’t compete within the upcoming 2025-26 season as she recovers from an ACL harm sustained earlier this 12 months. The basketball participant was injured in March in the course of the 2025 NCAA Event. The information comes because the Trojans are set to open the season towards New Mexico State on Nov. 4.
JuJu Watkins is targeted on recovering after her ACL harm
“These previous couple of months have been full of lots of therapeutic, relaxation and reflection,” Watkins stated in a Sunday press launch. “Recovering from this harm hasn’t been straightforward, and I need to say thanks — your love, help and type phrases have really lifted me up throughout one of the vital difficult instances in my life. Since you’ve been with me each step of the best way, I wished you to listen to it from me instantly that, following the recommendation of my medical doctors and trainers, I’ll sit out this season and absolutely concentrate on persevering with to get better so I can come again to the sport I like.”
She added, “I’m extremely grateful for my household, teammates, coaches, the USC coaching personnel, Jason, Shane and everybody who’s continued to help me each day by this journey. I’m excited to maintain placing in work to return again even stronger.”
Watkins sustained a tear to the anterior cruciate ligament in her proper knee throughout a recreation towards Mississippi State on March 24. She underwent surgical procedure, and her postseason was minimize brief. Restoration instances might fluctuate, but it surely typically requires 9 months to a 12 months of rehabilitation earlier than returning to sports activities, based on USA At this time.
Watkins wasn’t current on the court docket in the course of the Trojans’ first official apply on Sept. 23. USC ladies’s basketball head coach Lindsay Gottlieb stated earlier this month that restoration was “going nice” however didn’t elaborate, based on CBS Sports activities. The 20-year-old obtained help from Gottlieb relating to her resolution to concentrate on recovering from her harm.
“JuJu’s well being and well-being are our high precedence, and we absolutely help her resolution to concentrate on restoration this season,” Gottlieb stated. “Whereas we will definitely miss her affect on the court docket, she continues to play an important function in our program as a pacesetter and teammate. The energy and maturity she has proven by this course of is a mirrored image of who she is, and we all know the Trojan Household will proceed to rally behind her. We look ahead to the day she returns to competitors stronger than ever.”
JuJu Watkins is eyeing the 2027 WNBA draft
Watkins obtained a number of awards for her achievements in the course of the 2024-25 season. She earned the Naismith Trophy, the John R. Wood Award and The Athletic Nationwide Participant of the Yr. She averaged 23.9 factors and three.4 assists per recreation. Watkins additionally turned the primary Division 1 participant to document at the very least 35 factors, 5 blocks and 5 assists in a recreation prior to now 20 years.
The junior is seeking to be a part of the WNBA within the 2027 draft as gamers should be at the very least 22 years outdated to be eligible for choice. Watkins beforehand stated she would really like the age restrict to be lowered.
“I need to say personally I’m having fun with my expertise, Coach,” she stated throughout an look on Good Recreation with Sarah Spain final 12 months, based on CBS Sports activities. “I positively assume we must always have the choice. There’s simply been such a progress in faculty basketball the place it’s like, why would you need to depart? Since you’re in a position to have that have and construct your model right here in faculty as properly. I’d positively say we must always have the choice however I feel faculty is a method to put together us for the professionals as properly. So, I don’t know. It’s a sensitive topic, however I’m for it.”
Injured gamers have been drafted prior to now. Within the 2025 draft, Paige Bueckers was the No. 1 total choose as she joined the Dallas Wings with an ACL harm. She had sustained a torn ACL in 2022 earlier than returning to play for the College of Connecticut for 2 extra seasons.
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