JuJu Watkins and Chandler Prater (Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images)
Mississippi State women’s basketball player Chandler Prater has received vulgar comments directed at her on social media after a play led to JuJu Watkins having to be out for the year.

In the wake of Watkin’s injury, the Mississippi State Bulldogs and player Chandler Prater have drawn unwarranted criticism.

Unfortunately, the Mississippi State women’s basketball player has been the subject of hateful comments on social media.

The Bulldogs lost Monday to the Trojans in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, but Watkins’ injury was the bigger story.

Chandler Prater was guarding Watkins as the national player of the year candidate was driving to the basket and made contact with her.

Watkins’ right knee buckled, and she fell to the court in pain. It was so bad that she would have to be carried off the court. It was later revealed she would need surgery and miss the rest of the season.

The Mississippi Clarion Ledger’s Sam Sklar noted that Prater has received hateful messages on social media as a result.

Many fans are calling her ‘dirty.’

“I’m not saying this was intentional or not but what I will say is Ju’s knee did not buckle until the Mississippi State player cut off her path and made contact with her causing her to be off balance. May not have been intentional, but it definitely was a dirty play… period,” one person stated.

“Gottlieb didn’t do anything to incite anyone. Yes, Prater did something wrong with a hard, dirty foul. Don’t lie. She grabbed her arm and kicked out her other leg. That was a dirty play and caused an injury. Don’t play dirty if you don’t want boos,” one person said.

“Chandler Prater disabled comments on most of her Instagram posts. Some nasty comments remain,” one person added while providing a look at some nasty comments made to her over the JuJu Watkins injury.

One final person added: “@msstate imagine playing dirty asf and hurting juju Watkins, and you still didn’t make it to the sweet 16!”

JuJu Watkins Injury Usually Takes Six To Nine Months For Recovery

Mar 24, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) injures her knee in the first quarter of an NCAA Tournament second round game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images
USC basketball star JuJu Watkins suffered a season-ending injury in Monday night’s win over Mississippi State.

The University of Southern California basketball sophomore tore her ACL on a drive to the basket five minutes into her team’s dominating 96-59 win over Mississippi State.

Watkins plans to have season-ending surgery and begin physical rehab.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, recovery from an ACL injury usually requires six to nine months.