- NCAA. Paige Bueckers shines brighter than a diamond and alters the March Madness landscape amid JuJu Watkins' injury
- NCAA. Juju Watkins Injury Update: USC star carried off the court in agony with a harrowing knee issue that will can end her March Madness
The women's college basketball world got a gut punch this week when USC's superstar JuJu Watkins went down with a season-ending ACL tear during the NCAA Tournament's second round. But amid the heartbreak, LSU's head coach Kim Mulkey stepped up with a classy, heartfelt message for the Trojans' standout guard. On March 25, during an ESPN radio appearance on Off The Bench, Mulkey didn't just offer sympathy-she delivered a dose of wisdom and hope that's got fans talking.
"JuJu Watkins is a star in our game, and she went down last night with an ACL injury on really things you do in a game," Mulkey said, per USA Today. "Nobody did anything dirty, it was just so sad to watch and see." Watkins, a sophomore sensation averaging 23.9 points per game, crumpled in the first quarter against Mississippi State, clutching her knee in agony.
The diagnosis confirmed the worst-a torn ACL-sidelining her as USC pushes toward the Sweet 16. Mulkey, a Naismith Hall of Famer, knows the grind of the game and didn't mince words about the emotional toll. "You just know by the look of the knee, by the look on her face," she added.
But Mulkey's message wasn't just about the injury-it was about resilience. "The thing I would tell her and her coach is, 'This is fixable. This is fixable,'" she said, pointing to her own player, Sa'Myah Smith, who's bounced back from two ACL tears.
Mulkey offers and wisdom
"She's such a great ambassador of our game, and that's going to be the talk of the playoffs from here on." It's a classy nod from one titan to a rising star, blending empathy with a coach's tough-love optimism. Watkins, fifth in the nation in scoring, has been a force-her absence shifts the tourney's vibe, and Mulkey's words hit that note perfectly.
X is buzzing with love for Mulkey's gesture-fans are calling it "pure class," with one posting, "Kim keeping it real for JuJu, love this." Meanwhile, LSU's rolling into the Sweet 16 against NC State on March 29, fresh off a win over Florida State. USC, powered by Kiki Iriafen's 36-point outburst, faces Kansas State next.
Mulkey's shoutout isn't just talk-it's a reminder of the sisterhood in women's hoops, where even rivals lift each other up. Watkins' journey's on pause, but with voices like Mulkey's in her corner, she's got plenty to lean on.