Caitlin Clark is offering her support to JuJu Watkins in the wake of Watkins’ devastating injury.
The USC star guard Watkins went down during Monday’s NCAA Tournament game against Mississippi State. Watkins was driving to the basket in transition during the first quarter and planted awkwardly on her right knee, which completely caved in on her. She immediately crumpled to the ground in pain and had to be carried off to the locker room (video here).
While USC still won 96-59, Watkins got the worst-case news on her knee late on Monday night. She suffered a torn right ACL on the play and is now facing an extended recovery period as a result.
Caitlin Clark on the court
May 3, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts after scoring during the first quarter against the Dallas Wings at College Park Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
On Tuesday, the Indiana Fever star Clark issued a public message for Watkins via her official page on X.
“Sending all my thoughts and prayers to JuJu,” write Clark. “Kid will come back stronger than ever.”
Sending all my thoughts and prayers to JuJu. Kid will come back stronger than ever ❤️
— Caitlin Clark (@CaitlinClark22) March 25, 2025
For the Big Ten Player of the Year Watkins, 19, her sophomore season now comes to a cruel end. She is not eligible for the WNBA Draft until 2027 and may end up taking a medical redshirt for next season, especially since the injury occurred so late in this season.
Watkins will likely be hoping for a similar outcome to her fellow college star Paige Bueckers of UConn. Bueckers missed her entire junior season due to a torn ACL of her own, received an extra year of eligibility due to the medical redshirt, and came back strong during her next two years in college. Now Bueckers is expected to be the top overall pick in this year’s WNBA Draft and has a good chance of leading UConn to the NCAA title in the meantime.
As for Clark, she has historically been very supportive of her fellow women’s basketball stars, and that continued this week with her classy message for Watkins on social media.