The NCAAW is enjoying visibility, star power, and momentum like never before, but its tough schedule often takes a toll on the well-being of its top performers, such as Paige Bueckers and JuJu Watkins.

Last year, Watkins suffered a gruesome injury amid the Trojans' second-round match against Mississippi State in March 2025. While the Trojans won 96-59, Watkins had to be stretchered off just five minutes into the game. The injury cost her the rest of the 2024-25 season.

Following the injury, the 20-year-old lamented, "I wish I could have been out there battling." The USC sophomore is yet to return to the court.

Bueckers' injury in 2022 during her UConn days also highlights how serious injuries among players have become more frequent in recent years in the NCAAW.

However, the list is much longer than just Watkins and 'Buckets.' Azzi Fudd, Cameron Brink, Olivia Miles, Georgia Amoore, Courtney Vandersloot, Nika Mühl, and a few others have also been through similar experiences.

More recently, Iowa’s Taylor McCabe and 3 players from Maryland were also sidelined for the 2025-26 season due to injuries. And much of it can be attributed to the insufficient emphasis on the physical conditioning of women's basketball players.

As a result, Bueckers took it on herself to make things a bit better.

Paige Bueckers Supported Juju Watkins Through Her Recovery Period

Bueckers had been through the trouble of recovering from a torn ACL before Watkins. Thus, she extended her hand of support to the 20-year-old during her recovery.

Speaking about Watkins' injury, PB5 said, "I didn't watch the video. I can't watch that stuff; it makes me sick to my stomach... Devastation, obviously. You just empathize for her because I've been in that position where you have this devastating injury. She had it at a time where it's just the worst timing.

'Buckets' also disclosed how she was supporting Watkins. She said, "I reached out to her, just offering my support(and) my prayers. Just letting her know that. We've exchanged numbers now, so we're locked in. And whatever she needs, mentally, physically. If she needs to vent, ask questions. It's a long process and you learn a lot about yourself and about life through it. Just being there to offer my support."

Given that Bueckers missed an entire season due to her injury before returning to win an NCAA title, her concern towards Watkins is understandable.

But do you think that NCAAW authorities will take steps to curb the injury issues among its players?

Written by

Fatema Kapasi

Edited by

Souvik Roy