JuJu Watkins lay on the hardwood, clutching her knee, her face twisted in agony. The air inside the arena thickened, the energy shifting from electric to eerie silence. A moment earlier, she was gliding through defenders, the picture of poise and power. Seconds later, the USC phenom’s season came to a screeching halt.

A torn ACL—three words no athlete ever wants to hear. Especially in March, when legacies are cemented and champions are crowned. Watkins had spent the year etching her name into history: a first-team All-American, a top candidate for National Player of the Year, the engine of a USC squad with legitimate championship aspirations. BET recently named her as part of the Future of Black Culture. She was built for these moments, for the big stage. And yet, fate had other plans.

For now, the chase for a national title continues without her. Watkins will watch from the sidelines, her usual fire contained, forced to lead with her voice rather than her game. And make no mistake—she will lead. That’s what the great ones do.

But what’s next for JuJu?

The road back from an ACL tear can be long, brutal, and unforgiving. Recovery typically spans 8-12 months, a gauntlet of rehab sessions, incremental victories, and the mental toll of watching the game evolve without you. But history has been kind to superstars like Watkins. Skylar Diggins-Smith and Paige Bueckers, for instance, both endured the same cruel injury, only to return sharper, hungrier, and more dominant than before. With the advancements in sports medicine, cutting-edge rehab techniques, and Watkins’ undeniable work ethic, there’s no reason to believe she won’t do the same.

Watkins’ injury casts a shadow over USC’s immediate championship aspirations, but its ripple effects extend beyond this season. Assuming she takes the full 8-12 months to recover, she could miss a significant portion of her junior year, leaving the Trojans without their leader for the early stretch of the 2025-26 campaign. If all goes well, she’ll likely be back around the start of conference play next season. And if all goes really well, she’ll be right back in the Big Dance this time next year, in the hunt for a national championship.

Her WNBA future remains largely untarnished. A minor detour? Sure. A derailment? Not even close. This is the same JuJu Watkins who, at just 19, already looks like the next face of women’s basketball. Her story won’t be defined by this setback—it will be strengthened by it. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, she will be the No. 1 draft pick whenever she decides to go pro. Book it.

For now, the game will miss her. The crossovers, the pull-ups, the audacious step-backs that left defenders looking around for help. But JuJu Watkins is far from done. If anything, this is just the beginning of an even greater comeback story.

Prayers up for a full recovery. The legend continues.