JuJu Watkins Overwhelmed by Paige Bueckers' Heartfelt Act Amid Painful ACL Recovery - "Meant a great deal"

Former UConn star Paige Bueckers and USC guard JuJu Watkins couldn’t face off in the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Watkins tore her ACL in the second round of the competition, an injury that prevented him from playing against Bueckers in the regional championship. Bueckers' team sent home the Trojans 78-64 before eventually beating South Carolina 82-59 for the championship.

Although on-court rivals, Watkins opened up on Friday about what Bueckers has been doing for her during her injury recovery (via Shelby Swanson):

“She’s been checking on me every couple of months. Great person. … So to be here with her, and see her kill it, and see her on the other side of it, it’s very inspiring. She’s just helped me throughout the process of sending the texts, checking in on me, that’s meant a great deal.”

Paige Bueckers and JuJu Watkins are at Duke for the Team USA women’s basketball training camp. They joined the multi-day event with WNBA superstars such as Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, Kelsey Plum and others. Although Watkins isn’t playing, she is soaking in the scrimmages, practices and vibe of the senior team.

Bueckers also tore her ACL in 2022, forcing her to miss the 2022-23 season with UConn. She knows the work and determination needed to get back on top after a major injury. Watkins couldn’t appreciate more what Bueckers has been to her during her ACL recovery.

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Paige Bueckers comments on JuJu Watkins’ injury recovery

Before Paige Bueckers and Team USA started their drills, the Dallas Wings point guard spoke to the media. She responded when asked to comment on JuJu Watkins’ injury recovery:

“Yeah, just to embrace the journey. It’s easy to get tired of the redundant days, like when you’re just trying to get that quad strength back. Every single day that you put in work is a day you get closer to playing the game that you love again. It renews your sense of gratitude.”

Bueckers spoke from experience, allowing her to be part of Watkins’ support system. The WNBA All-Star added that the Trojan has a “great head on her shoulders” and emphasized Watkins is “almost at the end of it.”

USC and Team USA will not rush JuJu Watkins back. Only time will tell if Paige Bueckers and JuJu Watkins will play together for the Americans in the FIBA Americas qualifier in March.

Edited by Michael Macasero