How will JuJu Watkins’ injury affect USC in the Sweet 16 and the Women’s March Madness Tournament as a whole?

Last weekend, JuJu Watkins was carried off the court five minutes into the first quarter of her second-round game against Mississippi State after her knee bent awkwardly as she planted her right foot on a fast break layup. Watkins immediately fell to the court and grimaced, resulting in the crowd at Galen Center holding their breath as the trainers collectively responded to Watkins. The USC training staff eventually carried her back to the locker room as she was unable to put any weight on her leg. The team announced at halftime that the medical team would evaluate the star player, and Watkins would not return.

After a dominant, 96-59, win led by senior post, Kiki Iriafen, who scored a season-high 36 points, a team spokesperson told reporters that Watkins would undergo season-ending surgery and begin the long rehabilitation process. ACL tears usually take anywhere from nine to twelve months to heal, meaning that Watkins, one of the faces of college basketball, may be unable to play all of next season. 

Following the injury, there has been an outpouring of support for Watkins on social media from fellow athletes and celebrities. 

“I feel so sorry for her, and I feel bad for that team and that program, to be honest. I know she’s such a crucial part of that program, and I feel for her as a person. I know that’s not something that’s easy to come back from, but I know she’s going to be OK.” – UCLA star player Lauren Betts 

“I was nauseous hearing the news” – UConn star player Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd

“We’re just gonna address the elephant in the room, this totally sucks… I don’t think it’s hyperbolic to say this not only changed the tenor of this game but potentially the tournament” – ESPN analyst Elle Duncan 

Watkins Impact 

USC is set to play Kansas State in the Sweet Sixteen. Following a win, USC would play the winner of UConn vs. Oklahoma in the Elite Eight. Losing Watkins 24.6 ppg, 7.0 rpg, and 3.5 apg, will pose a challenge for Watkins’ teammates to step up in her absence. Freshmen Kennedy Smith, Avery Howell, and Kayleigh Heckel will be critical in USC’s aspiration to beat K State in the Sweet Sixteen. Watkins’ injury also means that there will not be a rematch of last year’s Elite Eight battle between Paige Bueckers and JuJu Watkins. This rematch was supposed to be a battle for the media as the two biggest college stars were going to battle head-to-head for a spot in the final four. 

Watkins’ injury does not just affect USC, it affects the March Madness Tournament as a whole. Watkins has become one of the faces of the women’s game. This is after a successful freshman season and the departure of Caitlin Clark from the NCAA. This season Watkins was named the Ann Meyers Drysdale National Player of the Year. As well as she is the front front-runner for the Naismith Women’s College Player of the Year. Watkins NIL (name, image, and likeness) deals have also allowed her to become the face of the league. She has NIL deals with Nike, Fanatics, Mondelez, United Airlines, Degree, State Farm, Gatorade, Funko, and others. 

JuJu Watkins NIL Deals

JuJu x Gatorade Collab	State Farm
Gatorade dropped the player edition JuJu bottle and released a commercial featuring her for the March Madness Tournament.	State Farm deepens investment in women’s sports by signing JuJu Watkins and sponsoring the Unrivaled Basketball League.

JuJu x Nike	NYX Professional Makeup
Nike plans to release a player-exclusive color way of the Nike G.T. Cut 3 Turbo LE designed for Watkins before next season.	The “Make Them Look” campaign debuts for March Madness and celebrates self-expression and individuality.

source: Instagram

Dawn Staley, the women’s coach of South Carolina, stated, “JuJu is raising our game up with how she plays.” She continued by saying, “ with pouring into marketing when it comes to NIL deals. She’s a business herself. And to see part of that not be a part of our NCAA Tournament- something is missing. There’s a big void.”

The Big Picture

Without Watkins’ star power and flashy play, many are wondering if her absence will affect the viewing numbers for the remaining rounds of the tournament. The next week will show the true impact that JuJu Watkins has on the game. With the Sweet Sixteen looming, USC will look to make it to a consecutive Elite Eight, this time without their star player.