The meteoric rise of Ashlyn Watkins takes an unexpected and troubling turn as the women's basketball player was arrested on suspicion of battery and kidnapping.
- September 3, 2024
AceShowbiz - University of South Carolina women's basketball star Ashlyn Watkins was arrested on assault and kidnapping charges on Saturday, August 31. The arrest followed a warrant filed by the University of South Carolina Police Department. Watkins' arrest in Columbia, South Carolina, stems from an incident where she allegedly assaulted the victim and picked her up against her will.
According to multiple sources, including CNN, CBS, and WLTX, the warrant detailed that Watkins "forcefully grabbing her face, pulling her arms, and pushing." Furthermore, it claims that she "grabbed the victim's head and forced her to walk down the hall, thus controlling her movement while preventing her from leaving."
The victim managed to escape and pulled a fire alarm, alerting local police and fire officials who responded to the scene. The victim received treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.
Following her arrest, Watkins was released on a $30,000 personal recognizance bond. She was ordered to have no contact with the victim, either directly or indirectly, and to stay 1,000 feet away from the victim's home, work, school, and place of worship. Additionally, Watkins will be allowed to travel for out-of-state games and practices while awaiting her next court appearance scheduled for October 25.
The University of South Carolina said they're aware of the arrest but has yet to issue a formal statement on Watkins' status with the team. A women's basketball spokeswoman remarked that the school is continuing to gather information. Watkins' attorney, Todd Rutherford, has requested the public's patience, indicating they believe the situation will be revealed as a misunderstanding.
Watkins, a 6-foot-3 junior, has been a standout player for the Gamecocks. She averaged 9.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, and led the team with 91 blocks last season. She made history as the first player in program history to dunk in a game during her freshman season, repeating the feat last season.
Watkins played a pivotal role in South Carolina's recent championship victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes to cap an undefeated 38-0 season. Her contributions included 3 points, 1 assist, and 5 rebounds during the championship game. The Gamecocks' first game of the upcoming season is slated for Nov. 10 against North Carolina State.
The repercussions of these allegations on Watkins' promising career remain unclear, but the story continues to develop as her legal proceedings move forward.
