USC’s first tournament game ended in a rout, but there are much more significant concerns for the Trojans. JuJu Watkins, one of the biggest college basketball superstars, was injured several times during that game.
What Happened to JuJu Watkins?
Watkins fell on her wrist during the second quarter while driving to the basket, hurting her pinky. However, this injury did not keep her out of the game, as she showed her toughness. At the start of the second half, she came out with a wrap on her finger to help stabilize her pinky, but early in the third quarter, she disregarded the wrap.
Late in the third quarter, Wakins drove to the lane and rolled her ankle. Watkins got the ball spotting up in the corner in that same play, knocking down three of her 22 points on the night. She left the game briefly and went to the locker room to get her ankle checked out, but she quickly got back to the bench and back in the game.
USC superstar Juju Watkins went back in up 40 points after rolling her ankle. She played just over 3 more minutes and scored 2 more points. She finishes with 22 points on the night. Why did they even bring her back in limping in an already decided basketball game? pic.twitter.com/6FqsSrCzN8
— Andy froemel (@FroemelAndy) March 22, 2025
Watkins accompanied those 22 points with eight rebounds, two assists, and three steals. The second part of USCs star duo Kiki Iriafen scored 13 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. The No. 1-seeded Trojans beat the No. 16-seeded UNC Greensboro Spartans 71-25.
USC did not allow UNC Greensboro to score over 10 points in any quarter. They showed their defensive talents and willingness to play the game for 40 minutes.
Though the Trojans won, the biggest concern leaving the game was Watkins’ health, but Watkins ensured there was nothing to worry about.
The superstar spoke to Holly Rowe after the game, and when she was asked about her two injuries to the game, she had this to say, “The end-of-the-season knickknacks. So small things, the maintenance things, but regardless, nobody cares, so I’ll continue to do what I do.”
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Watkins felt that USC left much to be desired, but the Trojans are “on to the next.” Their next game is against Mississippi State on Monday.
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