There’s a new name echoing through the halls of USC, and it’s not one that blends into the crowd. Electric on the court and enigmatic off it, JuJu Watkins is quickly becoming the face of something bigger than just basketball.

The buzz isn’t just about her stats—though there are plenty. It’s about the way she moves and the way she leads. Behind the highlights lies a story that stretches from family roots to the spotlight of national attention.

But nothing about her journey has been handed over easily. Setbacks have come, both physical and personal, and yet the rise continues. As one chapter closes and another opens, the question isn’t if she’ll leave a mark—but how deep it’ll run.

How old is JuJu Watkins?

Born in 2005, JuJu Watkins is currently 20 years old in 2025. Despite her young age, she has already made a significant impact in women’s basketball, quickly becoming one of the most promising talents in the sport.

Her age positions her at the perfect moment to develop her skills further in college basketball, as she transitions from a high school phenom to a serious contender on the collegiate stage. She has years ahead to build her legacy.

How tall is JuJu Watkins?

One of JuJu Watkins’ most notable physical attributes is her height. Standing at 6 feet 1 inch (approximately 185 cm), she possesses the ideal stature for a guard, blending size with agility.

Her wingspan and athleticism complement her height, contributing to her ability to shoot over defenders and disrupt opponents’ plays. Coaches and analysts have often highlighted how her physical tools, paired with her skillset, make her a matchup nightmare.

JuJu Watkins’ family and love life

JuJu Watkins comes from a supportive family background that has played a pivotal role in her development as an athlete and person. While details about her personal love life remain private, her family ties are well-documented as a key foundation of her success.

Raised in a household that values hard work and dedication, she credits her parents and siblings for instilling the discipline and resilience she exhibits on the court. She often speaks about the balance between family encouragement and personal ambition, emphasizing how her close-knit family keeps her grounded.

JuJu Watkins’ injury

In the midst of her rising career, JuJu Watkins faced a significant setback with a notable injury that challenged her perseverance. Early in her college career, she suffered an ankle injury that sidelined her for several weeks, testing both her physical limits and mental toughness.

Despite the injury, her approach to recovery has been praised by coaches and medical staff alike. Her commitment to rehabilitation, coupled with a positive mindset, has allowed her to return stronger and more determined.

JuJu Watkins’ career highlights

• High School Dominance at Mater Dei: She quickly established herself as a top talent at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California. Leading the team to multiple CIF Southern Section titles, she averaged impressive stats that caught the attention of college recruiters nationwide. Her ability to take over games with scoring bursts and lockdown defense made her one of the most sought-after recruits in her class.

• Gatorade National Player of the Year Finalist: During her senior year, she was named a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Player of the Year award. This accolade recognizes not only athletic excellence but also academic achievement and character. Being a finalist highlighted her well-rounded profile as an elite student-athlete.

• Committed to USC Trojans: In a highly publicized recruiting process, she committed to play for USC, choosing the Trojans over other top programs. This decision marked a major milestone, aligning her with a storied basketball program and setting the stage for her next chapter in NCAA competition.

• Immediate Impact as a Freshman: She made her mark early in her college career, earning significant minutes as a freshman and showcasing a smooth transition from high school to the faster, more physical college game. She averaged double-digit points and displayed versatility by contributing defensively and facilitating teammates.

• All-Pac-12 Conference Honors: Her sophomore season brought recognition as she earned All-Pac-12 honors, cementing her status as one of the conference’s premier players. This was a testament to her consistent performance against some of the toughest competition in women’s college basketball.

• Overcoming Injury and Returning Stronger: Despite a setback with an ankle injury early in her college career, her rehabilitation and return to form showed her resilience.

• National Attention and WNBA Draft Projection: Her combination of skill, size, and basketball IQ has attracted national media attention, placing her among the top prospects for the upcoming WNBA drafts. Analysts praise her as a player with both immediate impact potential and long-term star quality.

She was in the midst of an amazing season with the Trojans, and they looked poised for a deep postseason run because of her. Unfortunately, that all changed when she sustained a gruesome season-ending knee injury.

That’s why, in a recent sitdown with Hoops HQ, Trojans head coach Lindsey Gottlieb revealed that he still didn’t have the words to talk about what happened to Watkins.

USC coach couldn’t find words to talk about JuJu Watkins’ injury

“Anytime a player goes down with a significant injury, it is brutal,” she said. “But I don’t remember anything like that. What we all experienced in that arena when she got hurt was just indescribable. But especially, you know, for someone you know, like Juju, it was so heartbreaking, not just for us but for basketball.”

ACL injuries are no joke. They take a long time to heal, and Watkins might not even be able to suit up next season at all, which obviously takes a big toll on the Trojans’ aspirations.

Even so, as big a blow as that is, Gottlieb won’t even think about that right now. For now, getting her back to full strength will be the most important thing, even if that means keeping her out of the court for a little longer.

Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean she won’t be there every single day with her teammates. She’s still their lucky charm and more important piece, even if she can’t play.

That’s why a UPS employee decided to play a friendly prank after delivering a package. The employee reportedly left a delivery slip with a quick handwritten note. It said, “Sorry JuJu….Go Ducks!”

JuJu Watkins jokes about ‘beef’ with UPS

Notably, Watkins didn’t care for the gesture, and she took to Instagram to let the company know that they weren’t on good terms anymore: “@UPS we have beef (eyeroll emoji),” Watkins commented.

Of course, this is nothing but friendly banter, and we should take it as such. Then again, the Oregon Ducks, just like everybody else, will need to make the most of her absence while they still can.

Some players have a tough time getting back to their usual level after major injuries. Nonetheless, everybody should know better than to poke the bear, as Watkins is keeping receipts.

There was much talk about how Watkins’ situation would affect the team’s dynamic, especially considering these are crucial stages of the tournament, and any unforeseen challenge could have knocked the Trojans out of the competition.

Despite this, Coach Gottlieb made her feelings clear regarding her star player of the tournament, but she expressed full confidence in the rest of her team to handle the challenge against the Wildcats in the best possible way.

“Really pleased but not surprised,” Gottlieb said via Grace Reynor of The Athletic on X (formerly Twitter). “I knew we’d come out and compete. There’s so much love for JuJu in our program. … But I don’t think we’ve ever had this feeling of, ‘Oh no now all of our goals are gone.’ And neither has JuJu.’”

The challenge of continuing without Watkins

For the second consecutive year in College Basketball, the USC Trojans have made it to the Elite Eight. This time, however, the circumstances are different, as their journey through March Madness will now have to continue without the presence of their star player, JuJu Watkins.

Despite facing one of the biggest setbacks of the season, Gottlieb has full confidence in her team, which still boasts top talents like Kiki Iriafen, among others. A dominant victory over Kansas State clearly signals that USC is a force to be reckoned with in this tournament.

Next Monday, March 31st, the Trojans will face none other than the UConn Huskies, with the main goal of securing a spot in the Final Four and being just one step away from the championship game. Can they achieve this without Watkins on the court?

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.”

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.

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 to miss 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.

Although an event like the one that sadly involved Watkins and the Trojans’ hopes of moving forward may be a significant setback, within the program, they know the mindset of achieving great things remains intact.

In recent statements to the press, Iriafen expressed confidence heading into the matchup against the Kansas State Wildcats, which will determine the fate of Lindsay Gottlieb’s team in the current March Madness.

“I wouldn’t say this is our defining moment,” Iriafen said, as reported by Beth Harris of the Associated Press. “It’s what we expect of ourselves. We expect to win in this tournament regardless if it’s going our way, we have people, we don’t have people. That’s the standard here.”

Howell’s confidence for what’s ahead

The game against Mississippi State could have marked a turning point in USC‘s competition. Watkins’ severe injury and her subsequent exit from the game could have been a tough blow for the rest of the team.

Avery Howell was one of the many players who stepped up in that game, and after scoring 18 points (a career-high), she made it clear that confidence in the team’s ability to go far in this competition is something that is in abundance.

“We have a pretty big role this year,” Howell said to the press. “We’re prepared for most moments because of the time we’re given in games and how hard we work in practice.”

What’s next for the Trojans?

After a decisive 96-59 victory over Mississippi State this past Monday, the USC Trojans secured a spot in the Sweet 16, and their championship hopes remain intact. The next challenge will be against the Kansas State Wildcats, on Saturday, March 29, in Spokane, Washington.

Unfortunately, Watkins isn’t the first big talent to suffer an ACL injury, nor will she be the last. Fellow college basketball sensation, Paige Bueckers, tore her ACL in August 2022, causing her to miss the entire 2022-23 NCAA season, and so many other talents have gone through similar injuries, as well.

Lobo, who also suffered an ACL injury during his career, understands the struggles and repercussions such an incident can have on Watkins’ body and recovery. JuJu is eligible for the 2027 WNBA Draft, and while the injury shouldn’t be a concern by the time she enters the league, Lobo shared a cautious message, suggesting that early reports on Watkins’ potential return for USC may not be entirely accurate.

While most reports talk about a six-to-nine months recovery process, Lobo underlined recent examples of women college basketball stars, whose return date extended further, almost a year later.

“What we’ve seen, especially recently with high-level athletes in terms of women’s college basketball is it’s about a 12-month recovery process for them to get back on the court,” Lobo said, via On3. “First of all, emotionally, you’re torn. This is what every athlete dreams of, is this time of year and playing in the NCAA Tournament. And JuJu and her team had a realistic chance to win a national championship this year, so of course, there’s a lot of emotions and feelings there.“

Draft decision

These update from Lobo guides everybody to believe Watkins will miss the entire 2025-26 season, being a medical redshirt during her junior year of college basketball. Watkins would not lose her eligibility for the 2027 WNBA Draft, though she could also look forward to using her final year of eligibility in USC, and instead declaring for the 2028 WNBA Draft.

Paige Bueckers chose that route after returning from her ACL injury during the 2023-24 season. The UConn Huskies’ star opted to use her final year of eligibility and declare for the Draft in 2025. Watkins could do just that, though it’s still too early for her to be making such a pivotal decision.

Through his official X (formerly Twitter) account @MagicJohnson, one of the greatest basketball players in history expressed his shock over the incident and wishes for Watkins to make a swift return to the court.

“Devastated to hear the news that Juju Watkins tore her ACL last night. I’m praying for a speedy recovery, but I know Juju is a competitor and will be back stronger and better!,” the former Lakers player wrote through his social media.

The USC Trojans remain standing in the NCAA Tournament, although from now on, they will have to face the rest of the tournament without their star player, who will be sidelined for several months.

Angel Reese joined the messages of support

Various colleagues and figures from the sports world have spoken out about the situation faced by the extraordinary player JuJu Watkins. One of them was Angel Reese, who sent a 3-word message to the USC star after her season-ending injury in March Madness.

“Prayers for JuJu!,” the Chicago Sky star posted on her X (formerly Twitter) account, along with a tearful and praying emoji.

Watkins is expected to return to the court in the next 6 to 9 months, although these timelines are always relative when dealing with such serious injuries as the one suffered by the USC player.

What happened to Watkins?

While the first half of the game was being played, in which the USC Trojans ultimately secured their qualification against Mississippi State, the team’s star, JuJu Watkins, suffered a chilling knee injury that will sideline her for the rest of the season.

“Breaking: USC phenom JuJu Watkins has suffered a torn ACL in her right knee, sources tell ESPN. She will undergo surgery,” insider Shams Charania reported via @ShamsCharania.

Watkins and the Trojans were the talk of the town during the women’s NCAA Tournament, expected to be in the Final Four and not many programs would like to take them on during March Madness.

However, it’s all taken a 180-degree turn after Watkins injured her right knee’s ACL in the first quarter of USC’s 96-59 win over Mississippi State. The news of Watkins’ injury made waves all over social media, with both NCAA and WNBA stars sending their best wishes for the 19-year-old phenom in South California.

Among the household names to react to the unfortunate incident was Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese. The 22-year-old WNBA celebrity was not exempt to the incident, quickly posting a three-word message for JuJu on her X account.

“Prayers for JuJu!” Reese posted on her X (formerly Twitter) profile, along with a tearful and praying emoji.

Feeling the impact

The USC bench reacted immediately to Watkins’ gruesome accident, with fans in attendance in utter awe and shock. After the game, the Trojans realization kicked in for them, as they must continue their March Madness pursuit without their top player on the court.

“I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t rattled seeing JuJu lying on the floor and crying,” USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb said after the game, via Associated Press.

Face adversity

While Watkins’ absence is a huge factor for the Trojans , the team rallied and put on a strong performance against the Bulldogs, blowing their opponents out of the water, despite missing JuJu for most of the game.

“When you throw a bunch of talented people on a team, it doesn’t become a team until you work through some things. And how about this. Something didn’t go right for us,” Gottlieb added. “You never want anyone to go down, especially someone like JuJu that we all lean on in so many ways. But this team rallied. They rallied for her, they rallied for each other, our fans had our back. I’m just really proud and I think we showed what kind of team we are.”

The Trojans will be up against a bigger test when they take on the Kansas State Wildcats on March 29 in a critical Sweet Sixteen matchup without JuJu Watkins, who must undergo season-ending surgery.