Trojans HC Lindsay Gottlieb makes something clear about JuJu Watkins' future in NCAAB

As the USC Trojans look to continue their strong push in the NCAA Tournament, they now know they’ll have to do so without their star player, JuJu Watkins. The team’s standout player, under Lindsay Gottlieb, suffered a serious knee injury to her right leg, sidelining her for the remainder of the season.

While Gottlieb knows she’ll now have to approach the upcoming games without one of her top players, she also acknowledges that Watkins‘ positive attitude is helping her teammates face what’s ahead, and it’s even contributing to the star’s own promising future.

“You know, she’s 19 years old, and has so much in front of her, but it’s hard,” Gottlieb said on Mad Dog Sports Radio. “You know, and I think she loves the game so much, and I think for the first time, to have it taken away from her, and she’s got to go through those emotions, and I have no doubt she’ll come out on the other side. But I think she’s sad, and at the same time, she’s giving nothing but positive vibes and energy to our team.

“I think she’s proud of the rest of the players. She’s pulling for them as she would. (She’s) just (a) remarkable young person. But you know, I hope she can feel the love of everyone. Like you said the basketball community, I think, really kind of grieves with her over this and gives her a ton of love, but I hope she feels that because she’s given so much to the game and everyone else thus far in her young career.”

Head coach Lindsay Gottlieb of the USC Trojans during the Sweet 16 round in the Spokane Regional of the NCAA Women’s basketball tournament at Spokane Arena on March 28, 2025 in Spokane, Washington.

At the time of her serious injury, Watkins was averaging 23.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.2 steals, and 1.8 blocks as a sophomore this season at USC.

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What happened to JuJu Watkins?

It was during the first half of the second-round matchup in March Madness when a shocking moment left everyone in the arena stunned and breathless. Watkins, in an attempt to attack the basket, fell to the floor, clutching her right knee, fearing the worst.

After the game ended and following the necessary tests, it was confirmed that USC’s star had torn her ACL, forcing her tomiss the remainder of the season.

When will Watkins return to the court? It’s obviously very difficult to predict a potential return, but according to specialists, a normal recovery from this type of injury typically takes at least 6 to 9 months.