Princeton University’s women’s basketball team is enjoying an incredibly strong season, with a current record of 13–1, a ranking in the national Top 25, and boasting five players averaging double figures in scoring.

One of their players, Madison St. Rose, is not only contributing on the court but overcoming long odds to do so.

The New Jersey native and Ivy League standout suffered a torn ACL early in her junior season.

“I ended up tearing my ACL four games in,” St. Rose said. “That was very devastating and kind of just shook my entire life because not only wasn’t I allowed to play basketball anymore, but I couldn’t walk and just do normal basic daily things.”

St. Rose, the 2023 Ivy League Rookie of the Year and a multitime team captain, said the recovery process tested her mentally as much as physically.

“It wasn’t easy or smooth sailing,” she said. “There were many days where I cried, many days when I’m like, ‘Wow, I’m not going to get through this.’”

With support from her teammates, coaches, family and friends, who she says constantly reached out and gave her support, St. Rose committed to a nine-month rehabilitation process that included physical therapy, strength training and on-court work, all with the goal of returning to competition.

Her comeback reached a milestone this season when she scored her 1,000th career point, becoming just the 29th player in program history to do so.

Princeton head coach Carla Berube said St. Rose’s return was never in doubt.

“I have never seen in my 20-plus years of coaching someone attack that comeback, that physical therapy, the time spent in the weight room, in the training room, on the court, getting herself back to where she is now,” Berube said.

Berube said St. Rose’s impact extends beyond her on-court performance.

“She is a role model,” Berube said. “She’s a role model for her younger teammates. I think she’s incredible.”

Despite reaching the career milestone, St. Rose said she believes her best basketball is still ahead.

“I feel like I still truly haven’t reached my peak yet,” she said. “I’m just continuing to try to find ways to reach that peak. And when I do, that’s when I’ll actually know that I’m at the best of where I can be.”