Ashlyn Watkins, a forward for the South Carolina women’s basketball team, has rejoined the squad following the dismissal of assault and kidnapping charges that were brought against her on August 31. She had been suspended from the team since the incident occurred.
“With the dismissal of the legal charges, South Carolina junior forward Ashlyn Watkins has returned to team activities beginning with practice today,” the South Carolina women’s basketball program announced in a statement, as reported by Matt Dowell of WACH FOX.
Watkins was absent for South Carolina’s season opener, which ended in a 68-62 victory over Michigan in Las Vegas on Monday. Additionally, she did not participate in the team’s visit to the White House to commemorate their national championship win from the previous season.
According to court documents, Watkins’ charges were dropped on November 1, leading to the lifting of her suspension from the program. She has played a crucial role for the Gamecocks and is anticipated to take on an even larger role this season under head coach Dawn Staley.
It remains to be seen how quickly Watkins can rejoin the lineup and return to game shape, so monitoring updates on her progress and conditioning will be important.
Upcoming Schedule for South Carolina Women’s Basketball with Ashlyn Watkins Returning
South Carolina’s next matchup is scheduled for Sunday against No. 9 NC State at the Ally Center. This game presents another significant early season opportunity for the Gamecocks, and it will be intriguing to see if Watkins will be prepared to play right away, potentially off the bench to gradually reintegrate her into the lineup.
The following three matches against Coppin State, East Carolina, and Clemson are expected to be favorable for South Carolina, leading up to two crucial contests against No. 5 UCLA and No. 8 Iowa State. It would be unexpected if Watkins is not fully ready to contribute by the time those high-stakes games arrive.
Image Source: Ashlyn Watkins @ Instagram
