Gamecocks Star Ashlyn Watkins Arrested & Charged With Kidnapping & Assault

Ashlyn Watkins Arrested & Charged With Kidnapping & Assault

On Saturday, August 31st, University of South Carolina Gamecocks star Ashlyn Watkins was reportedly arrested and charged with assault and battery in the first degree and kidnapping.

University of South Carolina Police Department issued a warrant for Watkins arrest after an incident that happened at university dorms located on Lincoln Street.

According to the police report obtained by People, the victim is claiming she was picked up against her will by the University of South Carolina Gamecocks star.

Ashlyn Watkins arrested and charged with kidnapping pic.twitter.com/WcbHayax3M

— Peter Dredd (@PeterDredd) September 3, 2024

In addition to Watkins picking her up, the victim also claims Watkins grabbed her head and faced forcing her to walk down a hallway and preventing her from leaving the dorms.

Eventually, the victim got freed and pulled a fire alarm while running away. This resulted in local authorities arriving at the scene of the crime, reviewing camera footage and arresting Watkins.

Watkins has been released on $30,000 bond and is still able to travel with the team to out of state games but the team has not released an office statement or confirmed if she was still an official member of the squad.

The team however did acknowledge her arrest, per The New York Times. Her lawyer, Todd Rutherford, told WIS News 10 in South Carolina “We firmly believe when all the facts come out this will simply be a misunderstanding. And she maintains her innocence throughout this entire process.”

Watkins, a junior, was a key contributor to the Gamecocks’ undefeated national championship-winning roster last season. She averaged 9.2 points and 7.4 rebounds in 20.6 minutes per game.