JuJu Watkins' injury is disheartening on multiple levels

After moments of laying down, USC staff assisted Watkins, who didn't put any weight on her leg, off the court.

USC Women's Basketball posted to social media, "JuJu Watkins is being evaluated by USC Keck Medicine staff and will not return to competition in tonight's NCAA Second Round game."

The highly decorated standout second-year guard led the Big Ten in scoring this season, averaging 24.6 points per game. Watkins was named the 2024-25 Big Ten Player of the Year as she guided USC (30-3) to consecutive NCAA Tournament No. 1 seeds for the first time since 1982-84.

The Trojans didn't feel the effects of Watkins' absence against Regional 4 - Spokane No. 9 Mississippi State, building a 50-27 lead after two quarters.

Per ESPN, the 23-point halftime lead was the second-largest for USC in an NCAA Tournament game in program history.

While you wouldn't know it from Monday's rout, it will be a major blow to the Trojans' title hopes if Watkins misses the rest of the tournament. The same could be said if any of the other best players on this year's championship contenders were taken off their respective rosters.

But even in a scenario where Watkins misses an extended period, her long-term outlook as a generational talent won't change.

Just look at UConn guard Paige Bueckers, who tore her ACL in August 2022 and missed all of the 2022-23 season. She returned last season and led the Huskies to the Final Four. On Monday, Bueckers scored 34 points against South Dakota State as No. 2 UConn advanced to the Sweet 16.

Watkins' injury is particularly disappointing because players like her deserve to play on the biggest stages. She's a transcendent star who plays her best when the lights are brightest. It would be disheartening if Watkins was robbed of the opportunity to have a defining March moment.