Ashlyn Watkins charged with assault and kidnapping

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) – Ashlyn Watkins, a forward for the University of South Carolina (USC) women’s basketball team, has been charged with assault and kidnapping.

Watkins was arrested by campus police on Saturday, August 31, after an incident at a campus-affiliated apartment complex at 650 Lincoln Street.

According to an arrest warrant, Watkins assaulted the victim, who has not been named, “grabbing her face, pulling her arms and pushing her.”

The arrest warrant went on to say Watkins picked up and carried the victim against her will, grabbed her head and forced her down the hall “thereby controlling her movement and preventing her from leaving.”

The victim — who was treated for non-life-threatening injuries by EMS — was able to run away and pulled a fire alarm, prompting first responders to report, the arrest warrant states.

Video surveillance captured the incident, the arrest warrant added.

Watkins was issued a $30,000 personal recognizance bond, court records show.

According to public index records, the terms of his bond include:

• No direct or indirect contact with the victim
• Stay 1,000 meters away from the victim’s home, work, school and place of worship

Watkins is allowed to travel out of state for games and practice, records show.

She has a court appearance scheduled for Oct. 25.

“We are aware of the situation and continue to gather information,” a USC spokesman said.

Watkins, a junior at USC, was a key piece during the Gamecocks’ undefeated championship season.

A Columbia native who attended Cardinal Newman, the forward was named the 2022 South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year before committing to the Gamecocks.

This is a developing story. Check back here for updates.

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