South Carolina basketball player Ashlyn Watkins arrested on assault and kidnapping charges

South Carolina women's basketball player Ashlyn Watkins was arrested on charges of first-degree assault and battery, along with kidnapping, following an incident on Saturday. Watkins, a key player for the Gamecocks, is accused of forcefully grabbing the victim’s face, pulling her arms, and pushing her during an altercation at 650 Lincoln Street, the student housing center where the basketball team resides, according to a report from WLTX.

The incident escalated when Watkins allegedly picked up the victim against her will and carried her down the hall, preventing her from leaving, which led to the kidnapping charge. The victim eventually escaped and triggered a fire alarm. She was treated for non-life-threatening injuries, and according to the arrest warrant, Watkins was read her Miranda rights and confessed to the actions.

USC has acknowledged the arrest and is gathering more information. A spokesperson mentioned that the university’s policy of automatically suspending an athlete upon arrest is still in effect. Watkins, a junior who has been integral to USC’s recent successes, was released on a $30,000 personal recognizance bond after a bond hearing on Saturday. She is scheduled to appear in court on October 25.

Watkins, known for her athleticism and ability to dominate games, graduated from Cardinal Newman High School and has been a standout player for the past two seasons at USC. The university and the basketball program are expected to monitor the situation closely as more details emerge.