WNBA and college basketball stars send JuJu Watkins love after season-ending injury

Last night, in USC's second-round matchup against Mississippi State in the NCAA Tournament, Trojans superstar JuJu Watkins was on a fast break midway through the first quarter, was fouled, and hit the court hard, clutching her right knee. The Los Angeles native was on the ground for a while, being tended to by the USC athletic training staff, and, after a few minutes, had to be carried off the court back into the locker room.

Later in the second quarter, it was announced that Watkins was being looked at by the USC Keck Medicine staff and would not return to the game due to a knee injury. With the way Watkins went down and how much pain she was in, every USC and college basketball fan feared the worst for one of college basketball's brightest stars.

After further testing, it was announced this morning that Watkins had suffered a torn ACL and will undergo surgery to repair it, effectively ending her season. Watkins will start rehabbing the injury as soon as possible, but it seems as though this injury could follow her into next season as well.

No one ever wants to see an injury like this, especially a young star whose college career is still so young as well. Watkins has been one of the biggest and brightening names in college basketball this season, and losing a player like this can be devastating to a team.

However, instead of falling apart without Watkins, USC banded together and put together a masterpiece of a game against Mississippi State, beating the Bulldogs 96-59 to punch their ticket to the Sweet 16 where they will take on 5-seed Kansas State.

Of course, after the news of Watkins's injury, WNBA and college stars alike took to social media to show the young star some love and respect.

Indiana Fever's Aliyah Boston, who never got the chance to play against Watkins is sending prayers to the USC star.

Angel Reese also just missed out on defending Watkins at the rim, but knows the type of player she is.

LSU's Flaujae Johnson, who could have potentially faced Watkins in this tournament, is also sending prayers to a fellow college basketball player.

A speedy recovery is all that fans and everyone can hope for for JuJu Watkins now.

It is never easy to see a player get hurt, especially one with as much talent and as bright of a future as Watkins.

Brianna Stewart, who was probably watching the UConn game just before USC's matchup is sending prayers to Watkins as well.

JuJu Watkins is in all of the college basketball world's thoughts and prayers that she has a speedy recovery and is back on the court doing what she does best with the team that she loves.