South Carolina forward Ashlyn Watkins is facing a first-degree assault charge along with battery and kidnapping charges after she was arrested on Saturday after an on-campus incident, per court records.
WLTX in Columbia, S.C., citing a warrant issued by University of South Carolina police, reported that an incident involving Watkins and another individual occurred at a student housing center.
Per the warrant, Watkins allegedly picked up the individual and carried her without her consent, then “grabbed the victim’s head and forced her to walk down the hall, thus controlling her movement while preventing her from leaving.” This came after Watkins allegedly assaulted the individual by “forcefully grabbing her face, pulling her by her arms, and pushing her.”
The individual was later treated for non-life-threatening injuries after allegedly escaping and pulling a fire alarm, according to WLTX.
Watkins was released on a $30,000 personal recognizance bond and is scheduled for an Oct. 25 court appearance, per Richland County records.
“We are aware of the situation and are continuing to gather information,” a South Carolina program spokesperson said in a statement to ESPN.
Watkins, a 6-foot-3 junior, averaged 9.2 points and 7.4 rebounds in 20.6 minutes in 38 games last season for the undefeated national champion Gamecocks.
–Field Level Media
