Lisa Leslie may have retired from the WNBA after the 2009 season, but she's still deeply involved in the sport. She coaches the Triplets in the BIG3 basketball league, serves as a studio analyst for the Orlando Magic on FanDuel TV, and has even mentored rising WNBA star Angel Reese.
She also keeps a close watch on the college game, especially USC Trojans guard JuJu Watkins. Leslie was a two-time All-American at USC from 1990-94 and won the Naismith College Player of the Year award in 1994.
Unfortunately for Watkins, she suffered a torn ACL during USC's NCAA Tournament Round of 32 matchup on Monday.
The injury occurred with under five minutes left in the first quarter as the Trojans hosted the Mississippi State Bulldogs. On a fast break with two Bulldogs defenders nearby, Watkins went down in pain and had to be carried off the court.
JuJu Watkins was carried off the court and taken to the locker room after suffering an injury on this play. pic.twitter.com/zFgm8PkVnu
— ESPN (@espn) March 25, 2025
Leslie took to social media on Tuesday morning to share that her "heart is broken" for Watkins.
"My heart is broken I will keep you in my prayers JuJu Watkins I know you will be back stronger and better!! Fight On @USCWBB for Juju ," the WNBA legend wrote.
My heart is broken I will keep you in my prayers @Jujubballin I know you will be back stronger and better!! Fight On @USCWBB for Juju
— Lisa Leslie (@LisaLeslie) March 25, 2025
Watkins has taken college basketball by storm in her first two seasons. As a freshman, she averaged 27.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. This season, she put up 23.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists.
At just 19 years old, she has already built an impressive resume. Watkins was named Big Ten Player of the Year, earned a spot on the first-team All-Big Ten and Big Ten All-Defensive Team, and is a two-time unanimous first-team All-American.
She also dominated in the Pac-12, winning Freshman of the Year honors while being selected to the All-Pac-12, Pac-12 All-Defensive, and Pac-12 All-Freshman teams.
USC confirmed her sophomore season is over.
"JuJu Watkins sustained a season-ending injury in the NCAA Second Round on Monday night. She will undergo surgery and then begin rehabilitation shortly thereafter," the Trojans wrote on X.
Related: Postgame Handshake Turns Heads After JuJu Watkins Injury
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This story was originally published March 25, 2025 at 8:48 AM.