JuJu Watkins knee injury update: USC star suffers season-ending injury vs Mississippi State in March Madness

This story was updated to add new information.

Southern Cal women's basketball star JuJu Watkins exited Monday's NCAA tournament game against Mississippi State with a leg injury and didn't return. The program announced after the game that it's a season-ending injury that requires surgery.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Watkins tore her ACL in her right knee.

The injury occurred midway through the first quarter when Watkins, the All-American sophomore, was driving to the Mississippi State hoop and tripped and fell to the ground. She immediately grabbed at her right knee and was eventually carried to the locker room by the USC training staff.

No. 1 seed USC led No. 9 Mississippi State 13-2 at the time of the injury in the March Madness second-round game in Los Angeles. The Trojans won 96-59 to advance to the Sweet 16.

JuJu Watkins knee injury

Watkins' injury occurred with 4:43 remaining in the first quarter. The game officials reviewed the play for a possible flagrant foul but determined it was a common foul to MSU's Chandler Prater.

According to ESPN's Holly Rowe, Watkins was seen exiting Galen Center at the start of the third quarter.

USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb initially said she had no new information after the game.

"I'd be lying if I told you that I wasn't rattled seeing JuJu on the floor and crying," she said. "This is a human being."

JuJu Watkins stats

Watkins had three points, one rebound and two assists before her injury. Avery Howell shot and made two free throws for Watkins.

Watkins averages 24.6 point per game, the second-most in the country.

Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.