South Carolina forward Ashlyn Watkins Arrested on charges of assault and battery, kidnapping.

South Carolina women’s basketball star Ashlyn Watkins has been arrested and charged with assault and aggravated kidnapping following an incident Saturday on school grounds, according to court records.

An arrest warrant for Ashlyn Watkins has been issued by University of South Carolina police

A warrant was issued by University of South Carolina police. Columbia’s WLTX reported that the incident happened at 650 Lincoln, an on-campus student housing center. Watkins and the victim, who was referred to as a minor, knew each other.

According to the arrest warrant, Watkins is accused of assaulting the man by “forcefully grabbing his face, pulling him by the arms, and pushing him.” It is said that he picked up the person again and carried him against his will.

I received the arrest warrants @GamecockWBB star Ashlyn Watkins. The incident is detailed below ⬇️ @wachfox pic.twitter.com/qX3wNwglJ1

— Claire Foley (@clairefoleytv) August 31, 2024

Watkins then “grabbed the victim’s head and forced him down the hall, thus controlling his movements while preventing him from exiting.” This led to another kidnapping case.

According to WLTX, the victim escaped and pulled the fire alarm. The man was later treated for non-life threatening injuries. Richland County magistrate court records show Watkins was released on a $30,000 personal recognizance bond.

Watkins’ court date is Oct. 25, 10 days before the Gamecocks’ season opener in Las Vegas against Michigan.

Watkins has been ordered to stay 1,000 feet away from home, work, school and places of worship, and to have no direct or indirect contact with anyone else involved in the incident.

However, Watkins has permission to leave the country to play games and practice. A court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 25. His court date is 10 days before the Gamecocks’ season opener in Las Vegas against Michigan.

Watkins’ attorney, Todd Rutherford, told WIS News 10 in South Carolina, “We strongly believe that if all the facts come out this will just be a misunderstanding. And she maintains her innocence throughout the process. “

In a statement sent to ESPN, a South Carolina spokesperson said, “We are aware of the situation and are continuing to gather information.”

Watkins, 20, is a junior forward from Columbia. He was a key player on the Gamecocks’ championship winning team this past season.

Additionally, Watkins averaged 9.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.4 blocks, and 20.6 minutes per game. In 2022, the 6-foot-3 wing was the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year again.