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COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – South Carolina women’s basketball star Ashlyn Watkins is taking a season off from basketball, according to a post on social media.
Watkins announced that she is taking the 2025-26 year off, which was supposed to be her senior season. The post confirmed Waktins’ plans on returning to the court for the 2026-27 season.
“With everything that’s happened this year, I’m going to take some time off to focus on myself, my community, my faith, and my family, so that I can grow as an individual and attempt to master this journey of life,” Watkins said in the post.
Watkins played 14 games last year, missing the first game of the season due to suspension after legal trouble during the offseason.
After rejoining the team, the junior forward tore her ACL in January against Mississippi State, causing her to miss the rest of her junior season.
Dawn Staley released a statement following Watkins’ announcement:
Everyone in our program is valued as the whole of who they are, not just as a player or coach or staff member and not just for the time they are on our team. We will support Ashlyn as she works through getting her body and mind stronger; and we will be here when she is ready to return.
Watkins concluded the post saying, “I’m so grateful for my coaches, the USC medical team, my teammates, and everyone who’s supported me along the way. For now, I’ll be cheering on my team and working hard to come back even stronger in the 2026-27 season.”
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