The sight of JuJu Watkins collapsing on the court during USC’s NCAA Tournament game against Mississippi State on Monday, March 24 sent shockwaves through the basketball world. As one of the brightest young stars in college basketball, her devastating season ending ACL injury left fans heartbroken and uncertain about her future.
For someone who has walked this painful road before, UConn Huskies’ Paige Bueckers, it was an all-too-familiar feeling and she didn’t waste a moment to lend her support to the rising college star.
Bueckers Reaches Out to JuJu Watkins After ACL Injury
Having suffered a devastating ACL tear herself in August 2022, Bueckers knows exactly what Watkins is going through.
She understands that Watkins is facing this injury for the first time, and she must have doubts and questions. She wants to be there to guide her through the challenging recovery process.
Speaking with reporters, Bueckers expressed her deep sadness over Watkins’ injury
“Just sick to my stomach,” Bueckers said when asked about her reaction. “It makes me just sick and ill… I’ve been in that position where you have this devastating injury. She had it at a time where it’s just the worst timing, and you’re playing for a national championship, competing, playing with your team at the end of the season. So you just feel for her.”
Paige Bueckers gave her thoughts on Juju Watkins' season-ending injury:
"We've exchanged numbers now, so we're locked in, and whatever she needs mentally, physically, needs to vent, ask questions. It's a long process and you learn a lot about yourself." pic.twitter.com/Qtm64BeOoL
— Storrs Central (@StorrsCentral) March 28, 2025
But Bueckers didn’t just send words of encouragement, she made sure Watkins knew she wasn’t alone. “We’ve exchanged numbers now so we’re locked in, and whatever she needs mentally, physically, she needs to vent, ask questions,” she added.
The UConn star’s advice seems simple but powerful: “Ask questions,” she says. The main reason for that would be her personal experience and that’s why those two words carry significant weight.
Bueckers not only recovered from her ACL tear but returned stronger than ever, playing a career-high 39 games in the 2023-24 season and earning first-team All-American honors. Now, she’s on track to be the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft, proving that the injury isn’t the end of the road.
Watkins Faces a Tough Road, but Bueckers Offers Hope
Watkins, the Big Ten Player of the Year and a unanimous All-American, had been the face of women’s college basketball this season. Her injury came at a heartbreaking time, with USC making a deep March Madness push. She was helped off the court after collapsing on a drive, and the team later confirmed she’d need surgery, ending her sophomore season prematurely.
For Bueckers, the journey back from an ACL tear was long and grueling but she proved that an elite player can return at full strength. Now, as Watkins begins her own recovery, she has a mentor who has been through it all. And if she ever has doubts or concerns, Bueckers has made it clear—she’s just a call away.