“Going to cry” – Fans get teary-eyed as injured JuJu Watkins gets cute replacement on USC bench

USC Trojans star JuJu Watkins gets a wholesome tribute by her teammates and franchise during their recent NCAA game.

“Going to cry” – Fans get teary-eyed as injured JuJu Watkins gets cute replacement on USC bench

JuJu Watkins

The USC Trojans are bringing their star player’s spirit to Spokane, Washington, even though JuJu Watkins isn’t there as Southern California attempts to qualify for its first Final Four since 1986. When USC players wore Nike shirts featuring her face and characteristic hairdo on the front, the tributes began. Notably, Watkins is out injured, but her presence was felt during the game.

JuJu Watkins was unable to travel up the coast since she tore her ACL during the tournament’s second round. However, her teammates wore JuJu shirts on their trip to the arena to incorporate her as much as possible. Fans could also spot Watkins’ funko pop on the bench which led to widespread reactions from the basketball community.

Watkins is the first NCAA athlete to own a collectible figurine in the fall. This week, it was absolutely useful. For the first time since her injury, Watkins shared a picture of herself watching the Trojans on her TV screen on social media. For the first time since 1994, Watkins led the Trojans to the Elite Eight last year.

The Trojans were resolved to repeat the feat regardless of her on the court. They did exactly just that. The Trojans secured an important 67-61 win over Kansas State on Saturday. Kiki Iriafen did not have a very strong offensive game against Kansas State on Saturday, despite having one of her greatest outings to date in the second-round victory against Mississippi State.

This time around, it was the freshman duo of Avery Howell and Kennedy Smith combined for 37 points, demonstrating the strength of the Trojans. The Trojans’ task won’t get much easier when they play UConn in the Elite Eight—the same team that eliminated them in the same round the previous year. That match is scheduled for Monday.

Fans pour in wholesome reactions after spotting JuJu Watkins’ funko pop on the bench during a Trojans game

USC Trojans star JuJu Watkins was not present for her side’s recent matchup against Kansas State. However, her presence was still felt as her teammates carried out her ‘funko pop’ to pay tribute to the injured star. This act carried out by the Trojan players won many basketball fans’ hearts lately as they made sure to pour in their reactions.

Many fans took to various social media apps and sites to put forward their wholesome reactions regarding the Trojans stars’ tribute to JuJu Watkins. One fan wrote on X, “THE FUNKO POP IM GOING TO CRY.” Check out some of the reactions below:

Notably, the Trojans stepped up and fought through eight lead changes and nine times to win and secure USC’s second consecutive trip to the NCAA Elite Eight. This comes despite the absence of injured national player of the year JuJu Watkins. Now at 31-3 overall, USC has won as many games overall in a season as it has since 1986.

JuJu Watkins checked in on teammates after a recent win

Without Watkins, the Trojans’ victory over the Wildcats to reach the Elite Eight would not be complete. Following the game, the squad spoke with JuJu Watkins via FaceTime, and USC shared a picture of Rian Forestier and Brooklyn Shamblin in the conversation.

The whole sports world momentarily stopped when JuJu Watkins suffered an ACL injury in the first half of the team’s second-round matchup with Mississippi State. They extended condolences to the biggest star in college basketball.

With 36 points from senior big Kiki Iriafen, the Trojans came back to win the game 96-59 and advance to Sweet 16. USC will take on Connecticut in the NCAA Elite Eight on Monday after defeating Kansas State on Saturday.