Chandler Prater Faces Backlash After Injury to USC’s JuJu Watkins
Mississippi State women’s basketball player Chandler Prater is under fire following a controversial play that led to USC star JuJu Watkins suffering a season-ending knee injury during a March Madness game. Prater, in her first season with the Bulldogs, has reportedly disabled comments on some of her Instagram posts after being inundated with hateful messages from fans.
The incident occurred when Watkins, driving down the court, was crowded by defenders, including Prater. As Watkins planted her foot, her knee buckled awkwardly, resulting in immediate pain. She was carried off the court and is set to undergo surgery, though specifics about her injury have not been disclosed.
The backlash against Prater has been intense, with comments labeling her a "dirty" player and calling for her to stop playing basketball due to the nature of the foul. As the Mississippi State team faced scrutiny, their cheer squad was even booed during halftime as a reaction to the incident.
MSU guard Jerkaila Jordan noted the fervor of USC fans, saying, “They’re gonna stand behind their home team. They’re gonna go hard for JuJu,” which she respected.
USC, despite the injury, advanced to the Sweet 16 and will face Kansas State in their next matchup. The incident raises questions about sportsmanship and the pressures athletes face both on and off the court. As the conversation continues, Prater’s experience highlights the darker side of competitive sports and the intense emotions surrounding player safety.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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