PULLMAN, Wash. — WSU women's basketball fans had their worst fears realized today as the school announced star guard Charlisse Leger-Walker tore her ACL and is out for the remainder of the season.
Leger-Walker was in the midst of a big game against then No. 2 ranked UCLA, when she went down with a non-contact injury on a fastbreak.
She attempted to plant and draw contact for a foul on a layup attempt at the 7:30 mark of the third quarter and her knee buckled. She went down in pain and did not return to the game.
It is a stunning blow to a WSU team in the midst of a PAC-12 gauntlet where they must face No. 3 Colorado and No. 16 Utah next week.
"I am saddened to confirm the knee injury to Charlisse Leger-Walker is season-ending," said Head Coach Kamie Ethridge. "Charlisse has given her heart and soul to Washington State and this program. We are heartbroken she will not finish her career at WSU on the court. However, Charlisse will continue to impact our program to the best of her ability. There is zero doubt that Charlisse will come back better than ever. Charlisse will forever be remembered and honored as the greatest and winningest impact player in WSU women's basketball history!"
Leger-Walker has been the floor general for the Cougs since the 2022-2023 season after the departure of her sister Krystal.
She led the Cougs to the school's first-ever PAC-12 tournament championship and had a career-high 40 points on the road in a game against UW last season.
She tied Jeanne Eggart as the fastest woman to achieve 1,000 points in their career at WSU in just 57 games.
She also became just the ninth player in WSU history to have over 500 points in a single season, with 530 last season.
This season, Leger-Walker had career highs in assists per game and rebounds per game as she established a more all-around game due to being the team's point guard and primary ball handler.
Leger-Walker was the Cougs' second-leading scorer, averaging 13.2 points per game, and had a pair of triple-doubles this season.
Leger-Walker does have the option to use her COVID year of eligibility and return for a fifth year next year, or she will rehab and take her talents to the professional level.
Either way, the native of Waikato, New Zealand, will go down as one of the greatest players in WSU women's basketball history.
WATCH RELATED: 'I’m just super proud of myself': WSU’s Charlisse Leger-Walker wins Pac-12 Freshman of the Year award
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