South Carolina basketball star arrested for assault and kidnapping

Ashlyn Watkins, a forward for South Carolina’s national championship-winning basketball team, was arrested on Saturday on charges of assault and battery, as well as kidnapping.

Richland County judicial records indicate that Watkins received a $30,000 personal recognizance bond. The court has mandated that she avoid any direct or indirect contact with the victim, whose identity remains undisclosed in the records. Additionally, Watkins is required to stay 1,000 feet away from the victim’s residence, workplace, school, and place of worship. Exceptions will be made for her to travel out of state for basketball-related activities.

Her court appearance is scheduled for 25 October. A warrant from the University of South Carolina Police Department, obtained by WLTX-TV, details that Watkins allegedly assaulted the victim by “forcefully grabbing her face, pulling her arms, and pushing.” The warrant further states that Watkins lifted the victim against her will, carried her, and “grabbed the victim’s head and forced her to walk down the hall,” thus controlling her movement and preventing her from leaving.

The victim eventually escaped and pulled a fire alarm, which prompted the arrival of police and fire personnel. The victim received treatment for injuries described as non-life-threatening.

A spokeswoman for the women’s basketball team communicated via text to The Associated Press that the school is aware of the arrest and is gathering more information. Watkins has not responded to a social media message seeking her comment.

Watkins, a 6-foot-3 junior, averaged 9.2 points and 7.4 rebounds last season for the Gamecocks, who achieved a 38-0 record to become the first undefeated national champions since 2016. She also led the team with 91 blocks. During her freshman season, she became the first player in the program’s history to dunk in a game and added a second dunk last season.