We are still about 4 weeks away from the tip-off of a new college basketball season, which means that we have plenty of time to start preparing for the action ahead. We will do so via a series of season previews featuring the best players/coaches in the country. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel continues our coverage with Vanderbilt SR F Sacha Washington, who talked about her summer internship and her expectations for this season.
You were born/raised in Georgia: what made you choose Vanderbilt? I wanted a good education at a place where I could grow and be a part of something. I wanted to help contribute to a program with people who could help me reach my goals. I did not want to be that far from home, and this is the place that has everything I was looking for.
You play for Coach Shea Ralph: what makes her such a good coach, and what is the most important thing that you have learned from her so far? She is always honest with you: she will say when you need to step it up without sugar-coating anything, but she is still behind us every single day. It is not just about basketball: you must be a good teammate but also do other things and give all you have in every aspect of life.
You started 35 games as a freshman and led the team with 230 REB: how were you able to come in and contribute right from the start? I knew that I had a job to do, and people were counting on me, so it did not matter how old I was. I had something to prove to my teammates/coaches/myself.
Last December you scored a career-high 33 PTS and had a career-high 8 STL in 35 minutes in an 8-PT win over Louisiana Tech: where does that rank among the best all-around games of your career? I would put it among my good ones but not my great ones. It is not about how many points you score but rather how well your team is playing together.
Last January you scored 18 PTS in a loss to South Carolina: where does that undefeated national champion Gamecock team rank among the greatest that you have ever seen? They were a great team but I feel like we came in and competed. We are not intimidated but rather excited to play teams like that because we want to face the best. In the SEC it is a battle every night.
In the 2024 1st 4 you had 16 PTS/15 REB in a win over Columbia: how were you able to play your best when it mattered the most? We knew that we could take advantage of them on the boards and knew what was at stake, so our preparation helped the most.
You made the 2022 SEC 1st-Year Academic Honor Roll and 2024 All-SEC Winter Academic Team: how do you balance your work on the court with your work in the classroom? Just by finding a balance. I am a student-athlete so after a practice/game I still have obligations off the court.
You spent part of last summer interning with the Nashville Superspeedway as part of its communications team: how did you like it? It was very fun/different. I wanted to try something new and I learned a lot: it was a great experience.
The SEC added Oklahoma/Texas last summer: any thoughts on conference realignment? I am excited! Our league is growing and has more competition, so I am excited to play the new teams.
What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? My biggest goal is for us to go farther in the NCAA tourney. I do not have many other things I am worried about so I will do whatever I can to get that done. I want to finish out this year with a “big bang” and make my last year my best year while having fun.