As the USC statement indicated, Watkins will require surgery and then rehab. In recent history, women’s basketball players have needed about a year to recover from a torn ACL. For example, UConn’s Azzi Fudd, LSU’s Sa’Myah Smith and Ole Miss’ KK Deans each tore an ACL in November 2023 yet returned to game action by November 2024.

In the wake of JuJu Watkins' season-ending knee injury, UConn star Paige Bueckers and Huskies coach Geno Auriemma talk about the challenges ahead for Watkins and USC.