USC's JuJu Watkins Declares 'All Good' Following Injury Scares in NCAA Women's Tournament Win
Watkins faced minor injuries during USC's decisive victory over UNC Greensboro, but reassured fans about her health ahead of the next game.
No. 1 seed USC won decisively with a score of 71-25 over No. 16 seed UNC Greensboro in the first round of the 2025 Women’s NCAA Tournament. Despite the cheerful outcome, concerns arose about star guard JuJu Watkins’ health after she sustained a hand and ankle injury during the match.
Watkins expressed relief, stating she felt ‘all good’ for the upcoming second-round game against either No. 8 California or No. 9 Mississippi State. She reported:
“I don’t know, it’s the end of the season, body’s a little banged up, but on to the next. Nobody really cares, so on to the next. I’m all good.”
The injuries occurred during a drive when Watkins jammed her left hand. Although she exhibited pain, she continued to contribute significantly, scoring 11 points by halftime, matching UNC Greensboro’s total.
Her coach, Lindsay Gottlieb, justified Watkins’ return to the game, indicating faith in her and the training staff’s assessment of her readiness. In summary, Watkins secured 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals, contributing significantly to USC’s successful tournament start.
