It’s been a whirlwind season for the South Carolina Gamecocks, and Ashlyn Watkins has been at the heart of it all. The junior forward started the year with a suspension due to legal troubles but fought her way back onto the roster. Just as she seemed to regain her footing, another challenge struck—this time on the court.

The incident occurred in the second quarter of a game against Mississippi State. Watkins drove into the paint, and as she landed awkwardly, she immediately grabbed her knee, clearly in pain. Days later, the fears were confirmed—Watkins had suffered a torn ACL, ending her season prematurely.

For a team already navigating Watkins’ earlier suspension, this injury adds yet another hurdle to their journey toward a national title. Teammate Sania Feagin spoke about the loss, saying, “We just stay in ourselves, stay in the course, I mean, being who we are as post players and just taking on, like, knowing that she’s going, we’re just taking it on all together.”

But she expressed a little solace in knowing Watkins was still going to be around, cheering them on and being a good teammate as far as her situation would allow. “So that’s gonna be a good thing,” she adds.

Despite her limited time on the court this season, Watkins made a big impact. Averaging 7.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game, her presence was critical on both ends of the floor. So her absence is sure to be felt with the Gamecocks’ grueling schedule.

Dawn Staley & Co. has work cut out for itself with five straight matchups against ranked SEC opponents. It’s a stretch that will undoubtedly test the team’s depth. However, the head coach remains unfazed.

Dawn Staley rallies her team as Watkins embarks on her road to recovery

Known for her resilience, Staley has one clear message for her team: it’s time to move forward. Speaking to the media, she highlighted the importance of collective effort. “We don’t lean too heavily on one or two players. It’s a team sport, and we want everyone to hold serve,” she explained.

Staley isn’t asking anyone to replace Watkins outright but is instead looking to her roster for answers. Freshman Joyce Edwards and forwards Maryam Dauda, Adhel Tac, and Sakima Walker will have an opportunity to step into larger roles. “Adhel’s been impactful behind closed doors, and now it’s time for her to bring that energy to the court,” Staley said. “Sakima just needs to get healthy and do what she does best—be a big presence inside.”

Replacing Watkins’ contributions won’t be easy. Her ability to dominate both offensively and defensively made her a vital part of the Gamecocks’ system. Still, this season-ending injury is just another chapter in Watkins’ story.

With surgery and rehabilitation ahead, her road to recovery will be long, but if her resilience this year is any indication, she’s likely to come back stronger than ever.

Moving beyond Ashlyn Watkins may be the immediate challenge, as they look to defend their title. But the Gamecocks are far from finished. This team knows how to adapt, and Dawn Staley is counting on them.