Vanderbilt Women’s Basketball senior forward Sacha Washington announced via Instagram and X on Nov. 25 that she will miss the entirety of the 2024-2025 season due to a blood clot in her right calf.
“I believe that, through this experience, I will come back even greater and more prepared to reach my goals and maximize the potential to which I aspire,” Washington’s statement read. “This is not the end — just a delay — and I will certainly be back soon!”
Washington had yet to log a single minute this season because of what head coach Shea Ralph cited as a non-basketball-related medical issue on Oct. 31.
The loss of Washington will certainly be a hit to the Commodores, as she averaged 12.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.3 blocks last year en route to a berth in the 2024 NCAA Tournament. Washington has the option to redshirt this season and thus retain her eligibility to come back as a graduate student next fall.
Vanderbilt has more than managed to find success this season despite Washington’s absence, as it has dominated opponents en route to a 6-0 record. Ralph and Co. will now look to sophomore Khamil Pierre to step into the role that Washington has played so well for the past three years. Fellow sophomore Aiyana Mitchell — who has also seen increased minutes at the forward position this year — will also be relied upon.
Next up for Vanderbilt is a matchup against Arizona in the Acrisure Classic, which will take place at the Acrisure Arena in Palm Springs, California. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. CST on Nov. 26.
