PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Head coach Coquese Washington of Rutgers recently addressed the absence of standout freshman guard Kiyomi McMiller during the Scarlet Knights’ significant 92-42 defeat against No. 4 USC on Sunday night.

Washington opted to maintain confidentiality regarding the reasons behind McMiller’s unavailability, focusing instead on the team’s future. “I’m not going into specifics of it,” she stated. “You know things happen in programs—you have to make decisions, and as a team and program, you have to live with the consequences. We simply need to put our best effort on the court and prepare for Minnesota tomorrow.”

Earlier that same day, McMiller took to social media to clarify that it was Washington’s choice to keep her out of the game. She expressed her regret to fans and showed appreciation for their continued support, but she was notably absent from the bench during the match.

Washington emphasized the importance of impacting players’ lives beyond just their performance on the court. “For me, coaching goes beyond just game day. It’s about positively influencing these young women in our program on all levels—from character development to their growth as individuals. I view my role as a coach as more than simply focusing on strategies and outcomes,” she explained. “How do I impact the young women in my care? That is my primary concern. The decisions we make within the program are about building character and fostering young people’s development.”

McMiller has emerged as a key player for the team this season, averaging an impressive 19.9 points per game, and previously captured the attention of fans with a viral highlight play. Her absence during the game against USC marked a particularly challenging moment for Rutgers, which recorded one of its most significant losses in program history.

Renowned as one of the brightest prospects in women’s college basketball, McMiller was anticipated to face off against USC’s star player, JuJu Watkins, and had already earned accolades as the back-to-back Big Ten freshman of the week. Additionally, she made history by becoming the first high school athlete to sign a name, image, and likeness (NIL) deal with the Jordan Brand.

Watkins commented on McMiller’s absence, stating, “She’s a good player. I’m always eager to compete against great talent. It’s a bit disappointing she wasn’t on the floor.”