How JuJu Watkins’ Season-Ending Knee Injury Creates a Major Impact on the Women’s NCAA Tournament

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — When JuJu Watkins suffered a season-ending knee injury during a game, South Carolina’s coach Dawn Staley felt a wave of emotion. “It was really tough to see her in pain,” she shared. Watkins, a standout guard for USC and a first-team All-American, is a player many admire. With her out of the tournament, fans and players alike are feeling the loss.

Watkins’ injury comes at a critical time. Her absence likely means missing an exciting part of March Madness, especially given the dip in viewing figures this season. Last year, the women’s tournament saw record numbers, but attendance and ratings have dropped this time around. For instance, attendance at the opening rounds fell by 30% this year, totaling around 224,972 fans, compared to nearly 293,000 the previous season.

Rebecca Lobo, a college basketball analyst for ESPN, expressed her disappointment. “People were eager to see her play,” she said, noting how significant Watkins has been to the sport’s growing popularity. A few years back, in 1979, basketball ratings took a nosedive after the iconic Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird championship game. It seems history could be repeating itself, but the stakes are different now; the women’s game has come so far.

Watkins is not just another player. The 6-foot-2 athlete has become a major figure in women’s basketball. Last season, she led USC to deep tournament success and became the nation’s second-leading scorer at 27.1 points per game. She’s also built a brand, landing lucrative sponsorships with big names like Nike and Gatorade, valued at around $739,000 according to On3.com.

Following her injury, many took to social media to send their well-wishes, including basketball legends like Magic Johnson and Caitlin Clark, who encouraged her to stay strong.

Despite her absence, other talents are rising to the challenge. Players like UConn’s Paige Bueckers, who is making a comeback after an ACL injury, are ready to take the spotlight. Bueckers showed her skills in a recent game that became the most-watched of the second round, drawing 1.7 million viewers.

UCLA coach Cori Close also emphasized that it’s time for other players to shine, even as she mourns the loss of Watkins in the tournament. Sports fans are mourning both the absence of one of their brightest stars and reflecting on what her presence could have meant for the tournament’s viewership.

In a landscape where women’s basketball is gaining more fans and visibility, losing a player of Watkins’ caliber presents a significant void. As we continue through the tournament, it will be interesting to see how audiences react and whether new stars can carry the excitement forward.

In this pivotal moment for women’s college basketball, the community rallies, supporting one another while looking ahead to a promising future filled with potential stars.

Check out this related article: Stefon Diggs Talks Drake Maye: Why This Rookie Reminds Him of Josh Allen and Why Fans Should Be Excited!

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