Sports can take you to heights, but can be cruel in the most unexpected way, and on time. Juju Watkins is one such victim this season. The Round of 32 clash between USC and Mississippi State will be remembered but offer mixed reactions. JuJu Watkins, USC’s biggest star, tore her ACL. Tributes poured in from all over the world. Analysts were heartbroken to see such a promising talent suffer a devastating injury. But amidst all the sympathy, one person’s comments about JuJu became a big subject of controversy.

But what makes JuJu Watkins so crucial for USC? She was simply unstoppable this season! Averaging nearly 24 points and 6.8 rebounds, she had USC primed for a deep run in the Big Dance. The expectation? Go further than last season’s Elite 8 finish. They managed to get to the Elite 8 but their dance was abruptly cut short by UConn. One can only wonder—how different would that game have been if Watkins were healthy? Rachel Annamarie DeMita certainly feels the media has done an injustice to JuJu.

On her YouTube channel, she says, “The thing that I hated about JuJu’s injury was how the media covered it, and how they just used it to push certain agendas. Like I saw Stephen A Smith talking about it, and just the way the media covers things you guys lately, especially women’s basketball, just irks me to my core.”

What did Stephen A. say about JuJu that didn’t sit well with Rachel? There are two things! First was his comment to Napheesa Collier during the buildup of the game between USC and UConn.“You should be feeling good now,” the ESPN analyst said to the UConn alum. “JuJu got hurt.” The second was the way he addressed JuJu in one of his episodes. He addressed JuJu as “JuJu Smith-Schuste.”

It wasn’t just Rachel who took issue with his words—fans were just as upset. Stephen A’s comments about JuJu sparked outrage. Some even demanded that he never talk about women’s basketball again. 2025 may not have ended the way she dreamed, but for the sophomore phenom, there’s no room for regret. Through the ups, the downs, and everything in between, she’s thankful to everyone who has been part of her journey so far.

JuJu Watkins speaks out for the first time since devastating injury

Trojans fans endured a heartbreaking night last Monday. Just five minutes into their Round of 32 clash against Mississippi State, JuJu Watkins suffered a devastating ACL tear. Now, following UConn’s Elite 8 victory over her beloved USC, JuJu has finally broken her silence.

The star guard wrote, “Thank you all for the incredible love and support. Seeing all your messages and kind words has meant the world to me — y’all have given me so much hope. Right now, my heart is with my teammates – I wish I could have been out there battling, but I couldn’t be prouder of the fight we’ve fought together. Thank you all.”

Since JuJu Watkins joined the USC Trojans, the team has soared to new heights. Last year, they advanced past the second round for the first time since 1994. The Galen Center, once struggling with empty seats, is now packed weeks in advance. What a season it was! They clinched the Big Ten regular season title with a 17-1 record. On top of that, they took down top-seeded UCLA twice. But JuJu’s work isn’t done. When he recovers, she’ll only have one thing in mind! To win the championship before heading to the WNBA.