Although the Vanderbilt Commodores are off to a roaring 6-0 start this season, there’s a bittersweet undertone to their success. The Commodores have been dominating, but they’re missing a critical piece of their puzzle—their senior star, Sacha Washington. Head coach Shea Ralph shared about her “non-basketball” medical issue in October, but the official word from the player herself is out now.

On her socials, the forward shared the heartbreaking news that a blood clot in her right calf would keep her sidelined for the entire 2024-25 season. “I am so thankful for Vanderbilt’s medical staff, my coaches, and my teammates,” she wrote with a heavy heart.

She added, “Unfortunately, I have recently been diagnosed with a blood clot in my right calf and will miss the 2024-25 season. I do not understand why this happened, but I know that everything happens for a reason, and I will be better because of this.”

The baller also leaned on her faith to find strength, quoting Psalm 27:14 and expressing hope for her future. She strongly believes this experience will strengthen her to achieve her goals and maximize her potential. “This is not the end − just a delay − and I will certainly be back soon!” she expressed.

For the Commodores, this is no small blow. Washington has been a cornerstone of the team since her freshman year. She has played in 99 games, starting 72 of them, and has consistently delivered solid performances. Just last season, she averaged 12.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game, helping Vanderbilt punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament.

More than numbers (even if they’re pretty stellar), as a senior, she could have been a leader and a go-to scorer when the team needed it most. But while the loss of her undeniable impact is hard to replace, Vanderbilt isn’t folding. In fact, they’re thriving, and one of their rising stars is leading the charge.

Vanderbilt Commodores’ sophomore Khamil Pierre steps into Washington’s Shoes

The Arizona native, Khamil Pierre, has been nothing short of spectacular this season, stepping into Washington’s role and making it her own. The sophomore has been a force from the get-go, averaging a jaw-dropping 19.2 points and 11 rebounds over the first six games. 

She’s already scored over 20 points in three games and kicked things off with a double-double in the season opener. It’s not like this level of dominance came out of nowhere. She stood out at Perry High School in Queen Creek, Arizona, where she earned the Arizona State Gatorade Player of the Year award in 2023 and led her team to its first-ever 6A tournament championship game. 

In her freshman year at Vanderbilt, she showed brilliance, averaging 8.9 points and 5.3 rebounds while shooting nearly 42% from the field, bagging two SEC Freshman of the Week honors . This year, though, she’s returned with a better and finer game. 

With Pierre stepping up and sophomore Aiyana Mitchell also providing valuable minutes at forward, the Commodores are proving they’re more than a one-player team. But it’s a long season, and tougher challenges lie ahead. Next up, Vanderbilt Commodores takes on Arizona in the Acrisure Classic in Palm Springs, California. Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m. CST on Nov. 26. Stay tuned!