Villanova Senior Kylee Watson Leading Despite Injuries

Villanova super senior Kylee Watson started on a pair of Sweet Sixteen teams during her time with Notre Dame, contributing on and off the box score on both ends of the court. Watson stands 6-foot-4, her height in the upper echelon for Division I women’s basketball, but injuries derailed the last two seasons of her otherwise successful collegiate career, one that saw her begin as the No. 17 ranked player on the ESPN Top 100 for the Class of 2020.

An ACL tear suffered during Notre Dame’s 2024 ACC Tournament run wiped out Watson’s entire next season. She then transferred to Villanova for her final year of eligibility, starting the Wildcats’ first four games before injuries reared their ugly head once more, keeping her out for nearly two months. With her college career nearing an end, Watson said she realized she would need to impact Villanova with her presence off the court as much as on it.

“Battling injuries I had to think about how I can still make an impact on this team, especially only being here for one year,” Watson said. “I’m old, right? So I’ve been here for six years and I think one thing that I’m able to bring to this team, and I knew coming here, was the leadership and the experiences that I had. And I love these girls so much, they make it easy to kind of be the biggest cheerleader.”

Villanova head coach Denise Dillon described Watson’s presence in practices: the drive the veteran forward shows as she tries to get back on the court sets the tone for the rest of her teammates, encouraging them to step up their own intensity… and even inspiring them to play for her.

“Almost like they’re playing for her”

“Bringing her in was much needed. Of course you would love to see Kylee Watson show her true potential. Unfortunately injuries, they hinder that. Kylee Watson never wavered from her ability to lead and pour into everyone around her,” Dillon said. “Shows up every day. She spends more time in that training room than anyone, she wants to be out there. They know it, it’s almost like some of them are playing for her because she just doesn’t have that opportunity on the floor as much as we would all love to see.”

Having made the NCAA Tournament in each of her six college seasons, Watson said she’s also used the lessons learned from interacting with top players and coaches, applying that knowledge to helping Villanova. She also described how she’s changed her mindset while working through injuries, learning to enjoy the little things more as her college journey comes to an end. 

“The last two years or so have definitely been hard for me too, especially coming off of injuries and just kind of not really being healthy a lot,” Watson said.

“It’s been a journey. I’ve seen a lot of highs and a lot more lows than I ever had before in the last two years and my injuries. And I think I’ve just really enjoyed just experiencing the journey and ending it with this group of girls. It definitely isn’t how I necessarily imagined it would be with my injuries. Nonetheless, I’m just so grateful to still be able to get on the court and play with these girls. They’re a great group and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

The Secret of Leadership

Watson said that she’s adjusted her style of leadership, prioritizing building relationships because of the age gap between her and most of the rest of her Villanova teammates.

“I think a big thing is just the personal relationships that I’ve made with even the younger girls. Obviously being a sixth year, that age gap is there, but really just making an effort to show them that I care about them and reach out to them off the basketball court,” Watson said. “But also being that voice of reason for them if they ever need someone to talk to. Just kind of valuing that relationship with them.”

The Wildcats have emphasized how close they are throughout the season, playing with joy that helps them motivate each other while keeping the tone light through the grind of a 30-game season. Perhaps more important, Dillon said the way they interact is authentic, a balance of enjoying themselves and holding one another accountable that helps them succeed.

“It’s keeping it real. It’s recognizing, holding each other accountable. Recognizing what your responsibilities are, as individuals, and bringing them,” Dillon said. “But then having those conversations of what each other is capable of doing. And enforcing it: it’s a little pat on the back, but a kick in the tail as well. So I do think that authenticity is legit. That can take you some places.”