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

South Carolina forward Ashlyn Watkins was arrested Saturday on charges of assault and battery and kidnapping.

According to an arrest warrant filed by the University of South Carolina Police Department and obtained by WLTX-TV, Watkins, 20, allegedly assaulted the victim by “forcefully grabbing her face, pulling her by her arms, and pushing her.”

Per WLTX, the warrant alleges Watkins also picked up the victim against her will and carried her. Watkins “grabbed the victim’s head and forced her to walk down the hall, thus controlling her movement while preventing her from leaving.” The latter allegation led to an additional charge of kidnapping.

The victim eventually pulled a fire alarm, according to the warrant, which led to police and fire personnel arriving at the site. According to WLTX, the warrant said the victim was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Citing online Richland County judicial court records, the Associated Press reported Watkins was granted a $30,000 personal recognizance bond. She was ordered to stay 1,000 feet from the alleged victim’s home, work, school and place of worship, and have no direct or indirect contact with the other person involved in the incident.

WLTX reported prosecutors said in a Saturday bond hearing that Watkins and the victim (who was referred to as a minor) knew each other. Watkins is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 25, 10 days before the Gamecocks’ season-opener in Las Vegas against Michigan.

In a statement to The Athletic, a South Carolina spokesperson said the school was aware of the situation and is continuing to gather information.

Watkins’ 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.

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(Photo: Jeff Blake / USA Today)