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JuJu Watkins
JuJu Watkins is receiving love from unexpected places.
Days after suffering a season-ending knee injury, an outpouring of support from around the basketball world has continued to pour in for Watkins, 19, one of the biggest up-and-coming stars in the game. But the most recent well-wishes might turn some heads, given who the messages are coming from: arguably Watkins’ and her USC teammates’ biggest rivals, UCLA.
“To see, even a competitor, but someone who is a face of the sport, too, to just have her season end just like that? It sucks,” UCLA guard Kiki Rice told the Associated Press on Thursday, March 27. “I mean, obviously we play against each other and it’s a rivalry, but you hate to see anyone go down with an injury like that. And she’s a great player, a great person.”
UCLA’s star center Lauren Betts told the AP she was watching the game live when Watkins went down with the injury minutes into the first quarter.
“It was just so hard to watch and I feel so sorry for her,” Betts told the AP. “And I feel so bad for that team and that program, to be honest. I know she’s such a crucial part of that program. I feel for her as a person and that’s not something that’s easy to come back from, but I know she’s going to be OK.”
Related: USC Women’s Basketball Star JuJu Watkins Suffers Season-Ending Injury: ‘Heartbroken’
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JuJu Watkins
ESPN reported after the game that Watkins, a top contender for the NCAA women’s basketball player of the year, tore her ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in her right knee and would have season-ending surgery, embarking on a potentially year-long recovery process that could keep her out of next season as well.
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Watkins’ injury upended the NCAA women’s college basketball tournament and left commentators shocked at the sudden, unfortunate turn of events.
“I don't think it's hyperbolic to say this not only changed the tenor of this game, but potentially the tournament,” ESPN broadcaster Elle Duncan told viewers at halftime.
Duncan, 41, then bluntly added: “This totally sucks.”
Related: JuJu Watkins Shares Her On and Off Court Must-Haves From a $6 Lipgloss to $999 Compression Boots (Exclusive)
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JuJu Watkins
Watkins immediately received a flood of support on social media after the gruesome injury, as athletes and analysts from around the sports world chimed in with well wishes.
“Prayers for Juju!” wrote Chicago Sky and former LSU star Angel Reese. Aliyah Boston, who also plays for the Sky, and current LSU star Flau'jae Johnson posted similar well wishes.
Caitlin Clarkadded: "Sending all my thoughts and prayers to JuJu. Kid will come back stronger than ever
."The Trojans will play No. 5 seed Kansas State in the Sweet 16 — without Watkins, their leading scorer — on Saturday night. Both No. 1 seeds in their respective tournament regions, USC and UCLA could potentially face each other in the Final Four on April 4.
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