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It's a season Ashlyn Watkins will be hoping to forget as the junior forward received devastating news on Tuesday. The South Carolina Gamecocks announced via Instagram that she will be sidelined for the rest of the season after sustaining a torn ACL in her left knee during South Carolina's 95-68 win over Mississippi State on Sunday.
Things went down early in the second quarter when Watkins collided with a Bulldogs defender. The forward looked to be in serious pain as she was holding her knee immediately after. Watkins was helped off the hardwood and into the locker room by the training staff as it was evident she could not put any weight on her left leg.
After the announcement, Watkins' South Carolina teammates Raven Johnson and MiLaysia Fulwiley shared words of encouragement via their Instagram story.
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" ❤️❤️ Do This For Ash," Johnson wrote.
"Bounce back gonna be crazy ❤️," Fulwiley wrote.
In the Instagram post shared by the Gamecocks team, the caption read:
"Out for the season was not the news we were hoping for, but one thing we know – @aashlyn__ will bounce back!"
A season of regrets for Ashlyn Watkins
Ashlyn Watkins missed South Carolina's season opener against Michigan on Nov. 4 after she was arrested on Aug. 31 on charges of first-degree assault and battery and kidnapping. She was suspended from all team activities but was brought back on Nov. 6 after she entered a pre-trial intervention program.
Watkins played her first game against NC State and finished with six points and six rebounds. As the Gamecocks recorded a 14-1 run, the forward averaged 7.2 points, 6.1 rebounds (second-highest in the team) and 1.1 assists.
Ashlyn Watkins wraps her junior season ranking fourth in the Southeastern Conference with 1.86 blocks per game. She also went viral for her dunk against TCU on Dec. 8.
The Gamecocks announced that the forward will be undergoing surgery in the coming weeks. With this, the Gamecocks lose a key piece as they attempt to defend their 2024 national championship win.
South Carolina (14-1, 2-0 SEC) returns to action on Thursday against Texas A&M (8-6, 1-1).
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