South Carolina coach Dawn Staley attempted to contact JuJu Watkins after Watkins suffered a season-ending knee injury.
Watkins suffered the injury in the first quarter of USC’s second-round game against Mississippi State.
“JuJu is raising and lifting our game up with how she plays,’ Staley said.
Staley recruited Watkins, who was the top prospect in the class of 2023, when Watkins was in high school.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley tried to reach out to JuJu Watkins when the USC guard went down with a season-ending knee injury on Monday in the second round of March Madness.
“I sent her a text out the night of the injury, but it went green, so that means I don’t have the right number,” Staley said, laughing, at Thursday’s press conference before her team’s Sweet 16 matchup against Maryland.
Staley recruited Watkins, who was the top prospect in the class of 2023. Watkins had South Carolina on her short list.
“JuJu is loved by all of us,” Staley said. “JuJu is raising and lifting our game up with how she plays, with cornering the market when it comes to NIL deals. She’s a business herself, and to see that not be a part of our NCAA Tournament, something’s missing.
“It’s a big void, and we were fortunate enough to be one of her schools in the end.”
Staley said she got Watkins’ correct number, and she texted her Wednesday night.
Watkins averaged 23.9 points per game, 6.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists this season and has 1,709 career points through her two seasons at USC. She suffered her knee injury in the first quarter of USC’s second-round game against Mississippi State on Monday.
Ansley Gavlak is a student in the University of Georgia’s Sports Media Certificate program.