Charges Against South Carolina Women’s Basketball Star Ashlyn Watkins Dismissed

Ashlyn Watkins, a forward for the University of South Carolina women’s basketball team, has had the charges against her dismissed, according to recent court filings. Watkins was charged with assault and kidnapping on August 31, which led to her suspension from the team.

Since her suspension, Watkins has not participated in any team activities, including the team’s visit to the White House in September where they were honored by President Biden for their national championship win. The charges were officially dismissed on November 1.

Despite the dismissal of the charges, there has been no official update on the status of her suspension from the team. The top-ranked Gamecocks began their new season on Monday with a 68-62 win against Michigan in Las Vegas, and they are set to face N.C State in North Carolina this coming Sunday.

Ashlyn Watkins played a crucial role in South Carolina‘s unbeaten 38-0 season that led to the national title. The 6-foot-3 forward led the Southeastern Conference with 91 blocks and averaged 9.2 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, ranking second on the team in rebounds behind WNBA first-round selection Kamilla Cardoso. She also made history by performing dunks in both her freshman and sophomore years, the first two dunks in the history of the South Carolina program.

Once she returns to the court, Watkins is expected to make significant contributions to the team’s efforts, given her past performance and impact on the team.