Unfortunately, some of the best players in women’s college basketball have suffered long-term injuries already, either before or during the 2024-25 season. Here are five impact players who will be sidelined for the remainder of the season.
1. Charlisse Leger-Walker (UCLA)
The most recent announcement on the list, UCLA’s Charlisse Leger-Walker will miss the entirety of the 2024-25 season recovering from a torn ACL she suffered last season at Washington State.
“Although we would prefer her to be fully healthy and playing with us right now, we are really excited to announce that Charlisse will be coming back for another year,” UCLA coach Cori Close said. “She will be redshirting this year, but we’re very excited for our Bruin fans to see her for the entire 2025-26 season.”
Last season, Leger-Walker averaged 13.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.7 steals. Over her career at Washington State, she was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, Pac-12 Tournament Most Outstanding Player in 2023 and an All-Pac-12 performer four times. She’ll use a medical redshirt and return to the Bruins for the 2024-25 season.
2. Maddie Scherr (TCU)
Maddie Scherr is another transfer who was expected to play a large role for TCU this season. She transferred in after two years at Oregon and two years at Kentucky. Last season for the Wildcats, Scherr averaged 12.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.6 steals.
Because of a back injury, Scherr will be redshirting the 2024-25 season and returning to TCU next year.
“Having to sit out for the first time in my career has been tough,” Scherr wrote in a statement. “I would give anything to battle with my teammates on the floor. However, I believe God has a plan for me no matter the circumstances.”
3. Natalie Potts (Nebraska)
Natalie Potts, at the time of her injury, was becoming a star for Nebraska. Unfortunately, Potts suffered an ACL tear in Nebraska’s fifth game of the season against Northern Alabama and will be sidelined for the rest of the year.
“Nothing has stopped me before and I surely won’t let this stop me now,” Potts said in an Instagram post. “This journey will certainly have its challenges but these are challenges that I’m ready to face. As the road to recovery begins I just want to thank everyone for their kind words and prayers. I’m surrounded by the best and I can’t wait to support my amazing teammates from the sideline. I’ll be back better and stronger than ever before with a new story to tell.”
Potts was leading the Huskers in both scoring and rebounds at the time of her injury, with 14.4 points per game and 7.4 rebounds. Last season as a freshman, Potts averaged 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds.
4. Sacha Washington (Vanderbilt)
Sacha Washington, a senior for Vanderbilt, averaged 12.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.3 steals. She’s been with the Commodores for her whole college career and was expected to start for her third consecutive season.
But it was recently announced that Washington will miss the 2024-25 season because of a blood clot. She’s able to return for the 2025-26 season if she chooses.
“I am so thankful for Vanderbilt’s medical staff, my coaches and my teammates,” Washington said in a statement. “I feel surrounded by people who put me in positions to succeed and I am grateful beyond measure. 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.”
5. Dominika Paurova (Kentucky)
Dominika Paurova transferred to Kentucky following an impressive freshman season at Oregon State, but she won’t be able to play this season.
Paurova suffered a lower leg injury while playing in Iceland this summer and will likely not be available for the 2024-25 season. Last year with the Beavers, she averaged 5.5 points as a rookie.
