Known for her dunking abilities and skills on the boards, South Carolina women's basketball player Ashlyn Watkins was a force throughout the team's 2024 NCAA Championship run.
As a sophomore, she averaged just over 20 minutes per game along with 9.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks. Notably, she pulled in 34 rebounds in the NCAA Tournament's Elite 8 and Final Four rounds and is a highly anticipated returner for Dawn Staley's Gamecocks this upcoming season.
However, Watkins' 2024-25 campaign may be in jeopardy. On Saturday morning, she was arrested and charged following an alleged assault in Columbia as first reported by WLTX.
Here's everything to know about the incident involving Watkins, including the latest news on the South Carolina standout's assault and kidnapping charges.
Latest updates on Ashlyn Watkins arrest
According to the warrant issued by University police and obtained by WLTX, the alleged assault occurred at a student housing center. Watkins was arrested and charged with first-degree assault and battery and kidnapping, court records show.
The 6-3 20-year-old came after the victim, "forcefully grabbing her face, pulling her by her arms, and pushing her," as per the warrant. Additionally, Watkins picked up the individual against her will and then "grabbed the victim's head and forced her to walk down the hall, thus controlling her movement while preventing her from leaving." That prompted the kidnapping charge.
The warrant states the victim got away and pulled a fire alarm, alerting police and fire personnel who arrived at the scene. She was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Watkins was released on a $30,000 personal recognizance bond and is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 25, online judicial records for Richland County show. Upon release, she was ordered to stay at least 1,000 feet from the victim's home, work, school and place of worship. She was also told she would be permitted to travel out of state for games and practices.
South Carolina said in a statement to ESPN that the school and team "are aware of the situation and are continuing to gather information."
This story is developing and will be updated.