The South California guardian, Juju Watkins (12), reacts on the ground after an damage on Monday night time towards Mississippi within the second spherical of the NCAA school basketball event. The related press
Los Angeles-Juju Watkins was transported from the ground with a knee damage that ends the season within the first quarter of the highest sport in Southern California towards Mississippi within the NCAA event on Monday night time.
Watkins, one of many largest stars within the feminine basketball, slipped to the basket adopted by two defenders when the knee bent painfully whereas putting his proper foot, the with out contact that precipitated her to break down on the ground. She grabbed her on her knees and shook ache whereas her teammates surrounded her.
“I’d lie when you would say that I did not shake seeing juju on the ground and crying,” mentioned coach Lindsay Gottlieb.
Later, a crew spokesman mentioned Watkins will endure surgical procedure after which begin rehabilitation.
The gang in Galen Heart was silent whereas Gottlieb and two different USC workers participated in Watkins, 19 years outdated, a 6-meter-2 sophomore that has a mean of 24.6 factors. It was transported by a number of individuals with the Trojans main 13-2.
The Trojans gained 96-59 to achieve Candy 16.
“My prayers and ideas are with Juju,” mentioned MSU coach, Sam Purcell. “Clearly, we’re opponents and also you by no means need to see this, particularly what it means to the feminine basketball.”
Watkins loved a superb well being in her quick profession in school. She began all 34 USC video games as a Boboc, when she was second in nationwide marking, with 27.1 factors per sport. His 920 factors set a nationwide report for the bud rating.
The USC arrived final yr Elite eight, shedding in entrance of Paige Bueckers and Uchonn. The groups might meet once more in a regional remaining in Spokane, Washington this yr.
After Watkins was injured, the group was aloud the Mississippi state each time he had the ball. The cheerleaders of the varsity had been harassed throughout their routine on the break, and the group entered the crew once more, whereas he warmed up for the second half.
“They’ll keep behind their dwelling crew. They’ll go laborious for Juju,” mentioned MSU guardian, Jerkaila Jordan, who scored 17 factors. “I might do nothing however respect them.”
Watkins had three free throws, a recoil and two assistants in 5 minutes.
Within the second quarter, the USC guardian, Malia Samuels, lowered laborious on the bottom line. And he held his head in his arms, whereas the group rolled and Gottlieb hurried to test Sophomore, who led the crime within the absence of Watkins.
“I used to be relieved to listen to her say,” I am tremendous, “Gottlieb mentioned.
The Trojans appeared sad with the damage of their star. They rushed the ground within the feast, after senior Rayah Marshall banked in a Three-pointer to beat the pocket on the break and prolong the result in 50-27.
“They gave us loads of power, particularly when issues didn’t go at first,” mentioned Kiki Iriafen, who scored 36 factors of 36 factors.
Watkins harm his left hand after the ball caught his fingers within the first spherical of the USC on UNC Greensboro. Later he got here to maneuver on the left foot and threw itself.
“It is the top of the season, the physique is a bit of hit,” she later mentioned. “To the following one. Nobody cares. They’re all good.”