South Carolina basketball player Ashlyn Watkins arrested for assault and kidnapping

South Carolina basketball player Ashlyn Watkins was arrested on first-degree assault and kidnapping charges following an incident Saturday. Watkins, a key player for the Gamecocks, is accused of forcibly grabbing the victim's face, pulling her arms and shoving her during an altercation at 650 Lincoln Street, the dormitory where the basketball team lives, according to a report from WLTX.

The incident escalated when Watkins allegedly picked up the victim against her will and carried her down the hallway, preventing her from walking, leading to charges of kidnapping. The victim was eventually able to escape and set off a fire alarm. She was treated for non-life-threatening injuries, and according to the arrest warrant, Watkins was read her Miranda rights and confessed to the acts.

USC has confirmed the arrest and is gathering more information. A spokesperson mentioned that the university's policy of automatically suspending an athlete upon arrest remains in effect. Watkins, a third-year student who has been instrumental in USC's recent successes, was released on $30,000 bail following a hearing Saturday. She is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 25.

Watkins, known for her athleticism and ability to dominate games, graduated from Cardinal Newman High School and was a standout player at USC the past two seasons. The university and basketball program are expected to monitor the situation closely until more details are released.