University of Southern California basketball star JuJu Watkins was carried off the court Monday night and did not return after she suffered an apparent injury during the NCAA Tournament.
Grimacing, Watkins writhed in pain and held her right knee after she fell during a fast-break attempt with 4:43 to play in Monday’s first quarter against Mississippi State in the tournament’s round of 32.
USC quickly announced that Watkins would not return to play after she was evaluated by the team’s medical staff.
By halftime the Trojans led comfortably, 50-27. The team had not provided a further update on Watkins or how long she could remain out.
Watkins, a sophomore sensation, averaged 24.6 points per game during the regular season to rank second in the country and lead the Trojans to a No. 1 overall seeding in the tournament. USC has not advanced to a Final Four since 1986.