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USC Coach Addresses JuJu Watkins, Bullying Controversy

Originally posted on The Spun | By Hunter Hodies | Last updated Mar 29, 2025 3:10 PM ET

USC women's basketball star JuJu Watkins is out for the rest of the 2025 women's NCAA Tournament after tearing her ACL during USC's second-round game against Mississippi State on Monday.

She tore her ACL in her right knee while she was driving to the basket. She had to be carried off the court before going to the locker room.

Mississippi State player Chandler Prater was guarding Watkins when the play happened and has been the subject of some online bullying since some people think the play that resulted in Watkins getting hurt was dirty.

USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb couldn't disagree with that more and doesn't want fans going after Prater online.

"There was nothing to me that looked like it had any intent to hurt her," Gottlieb said, via ESPN's Alexa Philippou. "I understand people being sad and hurt that she's hurt, but nobody in our camp feels like there was any type of attack on her and would not support any type of online bullying or things of that nature. [Chandler Prater is] a young person that was playing basketball too, and I'm sure did not want any part of a negative situation that it turned out to be."

USC will have to try and win a national title without its best player even though she's been having a fantastic season. Before she got hurt, she was averaging 23.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game.

USC will play Kansas State in the Sweet 16 of the women's NCAA Tournament at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday. A win gets either program into the Elite Eight on Monday.

We wish Watkins a speedy recovery from this brutal injury.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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