UConn star Paige Bueckers expressed her support for USC’s JuJu Watkins after the Trojans’ standout guard suffered a season-ending ACL injury.
Watkins sustained her injury early in USC’s 96-59 victory over No. 9 Mississippi State, leaving the Trojans without their star for March Madness.
USC’s JuJu Watkins Out for Season, Paige Bueckers Shares Support
UConn star Paige Bueckers understands the challenges that come with a season-ending injury. After tearing her ACL in 2022 and missing the entire 2023-24 season, she can relate to what USC’s JuJu Watkins is going through after the Trojans’ standout guard suffered the same fate.
“Your heart breaks for her, just the devastation,” Bueckers said Friday ahead of UConn’s Sweet 16 game against No. 3 Oklahoma. “You just empathize for her, because I’ve been in that position before where you have this devastating injury. She had it at a time where it’s just the worst timing when you are playing for a national championship … so you just feel for her.”
Bueckers reached out to Watkins to offer support and guidance.
“I reached out to her offering my support and prayers and letting her know that we’ve exchanged numbers now, so we’re locked in,” Bueckers said. “Whatever she needs—mentally, physically, to vent, ask questions.”
Paige Bueckers gave her thoughts on Juju Watkins’ season-ending injury:
“We’ve exchanged numbers now, so we’re locked in, and whatever she needs mentally, physically, needs to vent, ask questions. It’s a long process and you learn a lot about yourself.” pic.twitter.com/Qtm64BeOoL
— Storrs Central (@StorrsCentral) March 28, 2025
Bueckers, the 2021 AP Player of the Year and Naismith College Player of the Year, had a dominant freshman season, averaging 20 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.9 rebounds while shooting 46.4% from three. She led UConn to the Final Four that year. However, injuries disrupted her next two seasons. A tibial plateau fracture and meniscus tear sidelined her for much of her sophomore year, and she missed her junior season after an ACL tear in a pickup game.
She described the emotions that followed her injury, saying, “Devastation, a sense of just hurt and disappointment … a why me sort of mentality, why now?”
However, she found motivation in her faith and persistence. Bueckers returned in 2023-24, playing a career-high 39 games and earning unanimous first-team All-American honors while leading UConn back to the Final Four. She believes Watkins will have a similar comeback.
“You don’t get to be as good as JuJu if you don’t have a great motor, a great work ethic, and she’s going to attack this process just as she’s attacked basketball,” Bueckers said. “Just disappointed for her but know she will be back better than ever.”
Her advice to Watkins?
KEEP READING: Why JuJu Watkins’ Injury Puts More Pressure on UConn’s Paige Bueckers in Women’s NCAA Tournament
“Just learn to enjoy the process … embrace the bad days, embrace the good days … know that everything in that journey is helping you get closer to playing basketball again,” Bueckers said.
UConn faces No. 3 Oklahoma in the Sweet 16, while USC meets No. 5 Kansas State.
Don’t miss a moment of March Madness! Download your 2025 NCAA Tournament printable bracket and stay on top of every game, matchup, and Cinderella story. Get yours now!
