South Carolina Player Ashlyn Watkins Charged With Assault

Ashlyn Watkins, a standout player for the South Carolina women's basketball team, was arrested for first-degree assault, battery, and kidnapping following an alleged incident at a campus housing center. Court documents reveal that she is accused of forcefully grabbing the victim's face, pulling her arms, and preventing her from leaving by controlling her movement. The victim managed to escape and pulled a fire alarm, prompting a police response; she later received treatment for non-life-threatening injuries. Watkins has been released on a $30,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on October 25. A statement from the university indicated they are gathering information, while Watkins' lawyer claims the incident may end up being a misunderstanding. As part of her bail conditions, she is prohibited from contacting the victim and must maintain a distance of 1,000 feet from her.