Ashlyn Watkins is an absolute fan favorite. Whenever she gets a break, the crowd goes berserk. Having won the McDonald’s All-American Game Dunk Contest previously, Watkins hardly gets it wrong. Anything related to her is bound to create brouhaha as was seen in her recent appearance.

Last year when she recorded the South Carolina school’s first-ever dunk against the rival Clemson Tigers, it was by no means the best display of her athleticism. Her recent performance against the SEC’s rivals however gave glimpses of her brilliance. She finished a clean dunk for the second time as a Gamecocks. But her detractor’s dunk defense created din on the court.

Controversial Defense

Watkins’ dunk came in the second quarter of the game, igniting the crowd and giving the Gamecocks a boost of momentum. It was a powerful one-handed slam that showcased her leaping ability and strength. The crowd erupted in cheers as Watkins hung on the rim for a brief moment before letting go.

The dunk was a highlight reel play that will surely be replayed on sports networks and social media platforms. But the defense mechanism of the dunk is widely criticized, as 19-year-old star Amiya Jetkins’ defense was not well received.

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Watkins’ performance didn’t stop there, as she continued to dominate the game with her rebounding and shot-blocking abilities. She finished the game with a double-double, recording 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 blocks.

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Watkins’ impact on both ends of the court was undeniable, and it was clear that she was the key factor in the Gamecocks’ victory over the Wildcats.

“Absolutely Insane”

Her fandom erupted over her latest display. Some comments were like “Worst transition defense in the history of basketball,” which shows how disappointed fans were. Other comments included, “Jogging back on defense after a turnover is absolutely insane” , showing that the fans do adore her.

A person wrote, “The dunk was cool, but not getting back on defense is crazy,” which indicates fans do admire the dunk, but the defense mechanism was not well received. “Defense looks like she wanted to see a dunk too“, another fan commented on the same.

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Watkins’ dunk not only brought excitement to the fans but also solidified her status as one of the most dynamic players in college basketball. Her athleticism and skills make her a force to be reckoned with, and she will undoubtedly continue to make major progress throughout the season.