Juju Watkins, the standout freshman guard for USC’s women’s basketball team, has been a powerhouse throughout March Madness. But on Monday night, a knee injury sidelined the 19-year-old star and raised questions about how it could impact the Trojans’ championship hopes.
Averaging 24.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game, Watkins has quickly become one of the most dominant players in college basketball. While she’s no stranger to the spotlight, this injury has sparked new conversations about her future — and what’s next for both her and USC.
What Injury Did JuJu Watkins Suffer?
JuJu Watkins sustained a knee injury during USC’s second-round NCAA tournament game against Mississippi State on Monday night. The star guard, who had been leading the Trojans, suffered a torn ACL in her right knee and had to be helped off the court.
Despite the emotional blow, USC powered through and delivered a commanding 96-59 victory to advance to the Sweet 16.
“I’d be lying if I told you that I wasn’t rattled seeing JuJu on the floor crying,” USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb told ESPN. “This is a human game and so I obviously tried my best to be what I need to be for the team, but internally it’s a lot.”
Watkins’ run in this year’s tournament is officially over. According to the Associated Press, she will undergo surgery and begin rehabilitation. Her status for the 2025–26 season has yet to be determined.
Why Is Juju Watkins Famous?
Watkins is a rising star in women’s basketball — and she’s doing it on her own terms. At just 19, the USC freshman has already carved out a reputation as one of the most electric players in college hoops. Since debuting with the Trojans in 2023, Watkins has stacked accolades and broken records along the way.
In 2024, she became the first player in USC history to receive the Ann Meyers Drysdale Shooting Guard of the Year award. She was also one of only five freshmen ever named to the AP All-America First Team. Before college, she led Team USA to gold medals at the U16 Americas Championship and U17 World Cup, earning MVP honors at both.
Watkins dominates the court with ease — and her journey is just beginning.
How Much NIL Money Does Juju Watkins Make?
With her game on lock, Watkins is also making major moves off the court. In February, she announced a Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deal with United Airlines, posting a photo beside a plane on Instagram with the caption: “Where should we fly first? #UnitedPartner.”
Watkins’ latest deal makes her the third athlete to ink a deal with the airline. Other players with United Airlines deals include former USC quarterback Caleb Williams and football cornerback Travis Hunter. Although the exact numbers of Watkins’ deal is under wraps, multiple sources presume the valuation to be almost $1 million.
“Watkins ranks among the highest in NIL valuation, ranking at No. 6 per On3. Watkins’s valuation is nearing one million, currently at $739K,” Sports Illustrated reported in 2025.
In addition to her United Airlines deal, Watkins has worked with Gatorade, NYX Cosmetics, Nike, Mielle Organics, Chipotle, and Degree. No one knows her exact net worth, but experts expect it to be quite hefty for a college basketball player.
Jayden Daniels’s Mom and JuJu Watkins Incident Explained
Before Watkins’ injury, she went viral in 2025 for an encounter with Jayden Daniels and his mother. Daniels, a quarterback for the NFL’s Washington Commanders, attended a USC Trojans game to showcase his support for the women players.
After the Trojans win, Watkins and Daniels were seen chatting courtside. Suddenly rumors began swirling that the two were an item, and Daniels’ mother was allegedly putting a stop to it. Other clips from the game showcased Daniels’ mother sitting in between the two athletes.
Fans and users on social media have called Daniels’ mother, Regina Jackson, overprotective. In the past, Jackson has talked about the idea that some people may take advantage of her son due to his fame and status.
“Some girl out here, she’s got a Jayden Daniels wall, and her mama says, ‘Hey, honey, you’re going to be the one to get ‘em.’ And I know that sounds crazy, but I guarantee there’s someone who’s trying to get their hooks into Jayden Daniels,” she said in the Amazon Prime documentary “The Money Game: LSU.”
Daniels echoed those sentiments.
“Nothing gets past my mama. She reads people, and she doesn’t want to put people around me that she doesn’t feel will benefit me,” Daniels said in the same documentary.
As for Watkins, she hasn’t confirmed any kind of romantic relationship — with Daniels or anyone else. In reality, the viral moment seems to have been more fan fiction than fact.