NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Rounding out its incoming recruiting class, Vanderbilt women’s basketball announced the signing of Sacha Washington and Khaniah Gardner on Thursday afternoon.
The duo joins three more future Commodores announced by the program in November – Kendal Cheesman, De’Mauri Flournoy and Iyana Moore – and gives Vanderbilt four top 100 recruits at the time of their official announcements.
A complete list and breakdown of each new Commodore is below.
Sacha Washington
Forward
Lawrenceville, Ga. • Collins Hill
Twitter: @sachaw33
Instagram: @sacha_washington
- Prepped at Collins Hill under head coach Brian Harmon
- Top 100 recruit, per ESPN (57), Prospects Nation (113) and All Star Girls Report (53)
- ESPN’s No. 13-ranked forward and Prospect Nation’s No. 24-ranked forward
- Named Region Player of the Year in both 2020 and 2021
- Earned First Team All-State honors three years in a row from 2019-21 and All-Region in 2018
- Was named the state’s best rebounder in 2021
- Surpassed 1,000-career points and rebounds as a junior
- Went on to average 18 points and 14 rebounds per game as a senior
- Previously committed to Purdue before re-opening her recruiting
- Daughter of Simone Picou and Kenneth Washington
- Is the oldest of three children with one sister, Kaci, and one brother, Ethan
- Chose Vanderbilt because … “The academics are amazing and the family atmosphere brought by the team and coaches is great all around. It all feels like a great fit for me.”
Khaniah Gardner
Forward
Chicago, Ill. • Simeon Career Academy
Twitter: @IAMKG25
Instagram: @IAMKG25
- Prepped at Simeon Career Academy under head coach Jonathan Davenport
- Scored 1,188 points during her career at Simeon
- Averaged career bests with 17.8 points per game and 9.0 rebounds per game as a senior
- Helped guide Simeon to the 2020 3A state title
- Nominated for the 2021 McDonald’s All-American game
- Earned honorable mention to the News-Gazette’s All-State girl’s team
- Named to Simeon’s Honors Cohort
- Daughter of Roblynne Starks and Bryan Gardner
- Has one younger brother, Malik
- Chose Vanderbilt because … “Not only did the coaching staff make me feel comfortable, hearing about the way they carry their team grasped my attention. I wanted to go somewhere I knew I could be a part of change. All around, Vanderbilt is an amazing school.”
In November, Vanderbilt announced the signings of Cheesman, Flournoy and Moore with each remaining committed to the program and first-year head coach Shea Ralph. For more about Cheesman, Moore and Flournoy, click here.
