JuJu Watkins declares she'll sit out 2025-26 season

Reigning NCAA women's basketball player of the year JuJu Watkins announced Sunday that she will not play during the 2025-26 season.

Watkins, who tore the ACL in her right knee against Mississippi State during the second round of the NCAA Tournament in March, says she will spend her third year at USC focusing on her recovery.

The 6-foot-2 guard averaged 23.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game last year to earn consensus All-American honors and national player of the year awards while leading the Trojans to a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

After Watkins' injury, the Trojans lost to Paige Bueckers and eventual national champion Connecticut in the Elite Eight.

"These last few months have been filled with a lot of healing, rest and reflection," Watkins announced. "Recovering from this injury hasn't been easy, and I want to say thank you - your love, support and kind words have truly lifted me up during one of the most challenging times in my life.

"Because you've been with me every step of the way, I wanted you to hear it from me directly that, following the advice of my doctors and trainers, I will sit out this season and fully focus on continuing to recover so I can come back to the game I love."

"JuJu's health and well-being are our top priority," USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb said in a statement. "And we fully support her decision to focus on recovery this season. While we will certainly miss her impact on the court, she continues to play a vital role in our program as a leader and teammate."

In 67 games over her first two seasons, Watkins has piled up 1,709 points, 472 rebounds, 225 assists, 150 steals and 130 3-pointers while shooting 41.2 percent from the field, 32.2 percent on 3-pointers and 83.6 percent at the free-throw line.

--Field Level Media