To say Vanderbilt's Sacha Washington is having a good time right now is an understatement. After missing the 2024-25 season due to a blood clot, Washington is part of a powerful Vanderbilt squad that's currently one of four undefeated teams in the NCAA (the Commodores boast a 16-0 record to date). As a player who knows what it's like to have to endure the lows that come with the game, she's been among the loudest and brightest while celebrating the enormous highs.
While speaking to reporters following the team's tough 65-61 win over LSU on Sunday, January 4, Washington acknowledged that the season is still young, but that it's still really fun to experience the wins right now. As she put it, the Commodores have spent this season focused on working hard every day, and that mentality is paying off.
Washington also noted that it's "pretty cool" to show up every day and to work with the team of coaches that Shea Ralph has assembled. "I'm grateful," she earnestly explained. "Grateful for everybody that steps in our gym, [everybody] who wants to see us play. I'm just grateful to be here, to be honest."
Vanderbilt's growth this season is exciting to watch
The Commodores are currently on a tear that doesn't happen that frequently in basketball; the team has adopted a whole-team style that emphasizes everyone who is on the floor. If one player is struggling in the heat of the moment, there's often someone else (or many someone elses) who can take over. That was on full display Thursday night when the Commodores played the Missouri Tigers: star Mikayla Blakes had a slow start, which meant the rest of the starters had to step in and score. In the end, all five starters had at least 15 points by the time the game was finished.
That kind of result isn't always guaranteed, and Vanderbilt will have to maintain it to stay ahead. But now they know it's what they're capable of, Justine Pissott told reporters following the win. "We can't always rely on Mikayla in situations like that," she said. "Sometimes Mikayla's going to have to take over a game like she did on Sunday, but it was great to see the rest of the starters do what they had to do."
Vanderbilt will next face Texas A&M at Reed Arena, Mississippi State at Humphrey Coliseum, and Michigan at the Prudential Center before returning home to greet Auburn on January 22.