SACRAMENTO, CA — Everyone watches women's sports, includingKevin Durant.
AfterAshlon Jackson knocked down a buzzer-beating 3-pointerto sendNo. 3 Duke to the Elite Eightfor the second consecutive season, her phone exploded with hundreds, maybe thousands, of messages, she said.
"I put my phone onDo Not Disturblast night," Jackson said on Saturday, twelve hours removed from her 3-pointer thatended No. 2 LSU's season. "I try to respond to as many people as I can because I'm very grateful that they're even watching women's basketball... but I haven't been able to get back that much."
Jackson revealed that one message was from Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant on Instagram.
"I was so happy about that. He's one of my favorite players," Jackson added. When asked if she was able to respond to Durant's message, Jackson said, "Of course. I just hit him with a thank you so much."
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Jackson said she hasn't had time to fully process the shot that will go down in March Madness history, much like Arike Ogunbowale's buzzer-beating 3-pointer to win a national championship at Notre Dame over Mississippi State in 2018. Jackson remembers watching Ogunbowale's shot "as a kid. It was really cool to see. And now I have the opportunity to say that I was a part of [tournament history]."
Jackson's game-winner was a mainstay on ESPN's "SportsCenter" and social media Friday evening, so much so that Jackson "got tired of seeing it."
"It's literally everywhere. Every time I scroll I see it," Jackson said with a laugh. "I just put my phone down. I just replay in my head the ball spinning and spinning and I'm like, bro, I don't want to see that."
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The shot rimmed around the basket for several seconds before ultimately falling down. Jackson was immediately engulfed by her teammates as they celebrated in front of their bench. She shared an embrace with head coach Kara Lawson and even went in the stands to celebrate withDukealum Chelsea Gray.
"The shot was great, but that feeling was better of them telling me how much they believed in me, telling me how much they love me, I wouldn't trade that for the world," Jackson said. "Regardless if I would've missed that shot or not, they would've told me the same thing. And I feel like that speaks volume, especially for our program. We call ourselves the sisterhood and it feels exactly like that."
The Alabama bench celebrate after a big three-point shot by Alabama Crimson Tide guard Karly Weathers (22) in the fourth quarter against Louisville during the 2026 NCAA Women's March Madness Second Round basketball at the KFC Yum Center In Louisville, Ky. Weathers finished with 13 points. March 23, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
See women's March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities
The Alabama bench celebrate after a big three-point shot by Alabama Crimson Tide guard Karly Weathers (22) in the fourth quarter against Louisville during the2026 NCAA Women's March MadnessSecond Round basketball at the KFC Yum Center In Louisville, Ky. Weathers finished with 13 points. March 23, 2026.
Jackson didn't end up going to bed around 2 a.m. as emotions were running high. She said rest is going to be "very, very important" moving forward with the tight turnaround.
No. 3 Duke plays No. 1 UCLA in the Elite Eight on Saturday 3:00 p.m. ET (ABC).
Her text messages can wait until next week.
"People are still texting me," Jackson said in disbelief. "I've been just trying to stay present, trying to stay where my feet are. I've gotten back to some people. I plan to get back to as many people as I can, but just trying to take it all in with (my teammates). It's my last time at this."
This story has been updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.
Reach USA TODAY National Women's Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@gannett.com and follow her on X at@CydHenderson.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Duke's Ashlon Jackson got message from Kevin Durant after buzzer-beater