pj-washington-hd.jpg

25 - PJ Washington

6-8, 230 Power Forward
Kentucky Sophomore
Birthday
08/23/98 (25.6 yrs)
Hometown
Frisco, TX
High School
Findlay Prep
Team Site Profile
Statistics
Athleticism
8
Size
8
Defense
7
Strength
8
Quickness
7
Leadership
8
Jump Shot
8
NBA Ready
8
Rebounding
8
Potential
7
Post Skills
6
Intangibles
7

NBA Comparison: Carl Landry

Strengths: Solidly built and strong power forward who is very skilled offensively in multiple facets … He is long and has excellent instincts on the offensive end … Washington has natural strength and the type of body that could withstand the physicality of NBA level play … He has broad shoulders and a wide base yet still has good agility and is fluid on his feet … On offense, Washington can do a bit of everything … He can score in the post, using his strength to bully opponents … He is particularly adept at getting to his jump hook over his left shoulder, which he makes at a very high rate … He also has solid leaping ability, allowing him to make plays above the rim … He also has an advanced mid-range game and is a lights-out shooter from the elbow and all around the key … His range has also expanded this season, as he shot 42.3% from 3-point range in his sophomore season … His mechanics are excellent and he has a high release point … Washington’s passing ability stands out for a power forward and he can initiate the offense from the high post and shows advanced court vision for a big man … Washington has a mature understanding of the game and shows great polish and refinement for such a young player … His awareness on the court and his knowledge of the game make him a glue-guy who helps the team win, even when he’s not filling up the stat sheet … His skill and leadership was a big reason for Kentucky’s season that fell just short of the Final Four …

Weaknesses: Washington does not have prototypical size for the power forward position (at 6’7 and change) in the modern game and is not the elite level athlete that can compensate for it … He will have to expand his perimeter game and continue to become a more consistent shooter and ball handler … He can get by with overpowering opponents in the paint in college but won’t be able to play that game at the NBA level … He doesn’t project as a low post scorer, as he does not have much of a post game outside of his jump hook … He also probably won’t be a rim protector at the next level and there are questions about how his game will adjust to NBA length and size … His lack of ideal size and top end athleticism knock him down a notch in terms of what his upside could be … Feel for the game has been a bit of a work in progress …

Outlook: Considered a likely late first rounder after a strong sophomore season … He projects as a good but not great prospect who should have a long NBA career as a rotational player, but he likely will not be an All Star at the next level …

Notes: Declared for 2018 NBA Draft and participated in NBA Draft combine … Measured 6′ 6.5” barefoot, 6′ 8” in shoes, 223.0 lbs, 7′ 2.5” wingspan, 8′ 11” standing reach, 6.85% body fat and 9.00 inch hand langth at the 2018 NBA Draft Combine … Born Aug. 23 in Louisville, Kentucky … Rated as high as the No. 12 overall prospect in the class of 2017 rankings by ESPN … Scout and Rivals tab him at No. 15 overall and 247Sports ranks him No. 19 … He was named to the All-USA Boys Basketball Second Team in March and played in the 2017 McDonald’s All American Game and the Jordan Brand Classic … His parents are Sherry and Paul Washington Sr. … Has two siblings, Alex and Spencer … Both parents played basketball at Middle Tennessee State … He also participated in track and football … Played for Penny Hardaway and Team Penny in AAU … His favorite activity away from the court is spending time with his family … Biggest fear is not reaching his goals … Chose his jersey number because he has worn No. 25 his entire life.

William Desautelle III 5/8/19

Strengths: Plays with a mean streak and physicality that sets him apart from many of his peers … Has a massive 7’2.5” wingspan that helps mitigate the fact that he doesn’t have great height at 6′ 6.5 barefoot … 8′ 11″ standing reach gives him better than average power forward length … Works very hard, especially inside to stick with plays … Is comfortable having an offense run through him, even if it’s designed to get others open looks … Does a solid job of setting screens, both on and off the ball … When focused on it, can rebound the ball at a high rate … Has solid instincts in regards to blocking shots and is unafraid to challenge offensive players at the rim … Does a good job of facing defenders up at the high and mid post and attacking off the bounce … Is very good in isolation situations in the high and mid post and is able to score at the rim or draw a foul consistently … Is comfortable operating along the baseline, which can create issues for defenses and create additional spacing for his teammates … Back to the basket game remains unrefined, but he has made noticeable strides in that department, especially in regards to his footwork … Shooting form is inconsistent, but not broken, meaning there is growth potential in that area for him … Played through a hand injury last season, showing toughness, and didn’t miss time despite needing surgery on a finger …

Weaknesses: Struggled with consistency and didn’t fully live up to the lofty expectations placed upon him coming into his freshman season … Struggles to identify and see over double teams, leading to turnovers and creating transition opportunities for opponents … Draws a lot of fouls, but only shoots 60% from the free throw line, which leads to empty possessions and makes it hard for him to close out games … Doesn’t always prioritize rebounding and can focus too much on scoring/attacking the rim … Isn’t confident in taking a jump shot from mid range or outside, making him more predictable on offense … Can get in foul trouble trying to fight for position defensively, will need to work on improving position early in the shot clock … Lack of height sometimes hurts him when trying to score inside against bigger defenders, is prone to having his shot blocked … Needs to improve upon his conditioning to be able to withstand an 82 game season … Can get caught up in off ball screens when guarding perimeter oriented players and sometimes gives too much space to shooters … Needs to look to add strength, at just 223 pounds will be pushed around by bigger and stronger post players at the next level …

Outlook: Despite his lack of ideal size for a player that does most of his damage from inside the paint, Washington has some tools that should translate to the NBA … It will be important for him to show teams that he is a better shooter than he was at Kentucky if he wants a spot in a rotation … He would benefit from expanding his range to the three point line (or at bare minimum being comfortable taking the 15-18 foot jumper) … He also needs to show an ability to hit free throws to avoid teams taking advantage of that vulnerability … He projects as primarily an energy guy coming off a team’s bench with the chance to develop into something more in time …

Notes: Declared for 2018 NBA Draft and participated in NBA Draft combine … Measured 6′ 6.5” barefoot, 6′ 8” in shoes, 223.0 lbs, 7′ 2.5” wingspan, 8′ 11” standing reach, 6.85% body fat and 9.00 inch hand langth at the 2018 NBA Draft Combine … Recorded a 43” vertical at Kentucky’s pro day. and a 34 inch max vertical at the NBA Draft Combine … Long time member of USA Basketball youth select teams while in high school where he won gold medals and gained valuable experience … Attended powerhouse Findlay Prep in Las Vegas as an upperclassman …

Eric Yearian 5/27/18

Strengths: 6’8 power forward … Good length relative to height with a wingspan 7’3 wingspan and 8’9 standing reach … Good athlete. Gets off the ground quickly and finishes above the rim. Good motor and energy, doesn’t quit on plays … Good hands and footwork. Good strength. Aggressive and physical. Works to get good position on offense. Not afraid of contact. Attacks the basket without hesitation. Good touch within close and reliable finisher. Shot 61.9% over the Nike EYBL. Good step through move in the post. Developing midrange game … Good defender and can defend bigger players. Contests and blocks shots … Very good rebounder, averaged 10.9 rebounds per game over the Nike EYBL. Crashes offensive glass at will … Shows a developing turnaround shot within close … Solid ball handling ability for his position. Good court vision and passing ability for a big man. Good combination of aggression and unselfishness. Operates well in the high post. Can play a high-low game when teamed up with another big man … Loves to compete. Always rose to the occasion with big matchups during the Nike EYBL …

Weaknesses: Undersized for a front court player … Lacks a perimeter game and has limited range. Can shoot from midrange but not a good free throw shooter. Shot 55.9% from the free throw line over the Nike EYBL and shot 15-30 at adidas Nations … Ball handling and shooting will have to progress to be a threat as a stretch big. Can handle the ball with decent ability but not at a high speed or when contested … Doesn’t have an offensive arsenal in the low post yet. Operating in traffic can improve. Lacks technique if he doesn’t with a jam …

Outlook: Incoming Kentucky freshman … Played in the McDonald’s All-American Game and Jordan Brand Classic … Played his freshman season at Prime Prep and his final three years at Findlay Prep, playing for his father his senior year. He’s shown much progress to his game but still has a way to go in maximizing his potential … Averaged a double-double over the Nike EYBL with 17.4 points and 10.9 rebounds per game.

Evan Tomes 7/31/17

Notes: Measured 6’6, 219 lbs with a 7’1 wingspan at the 2014 Nike Elite 100 … Measured 6’5.5 without shoes, 6’6.75 with shoes, 218 lbs, with a 7’1 wingspan and 8’9 standing reach at the 2014 USA Junior National Team Mini Camp … Measured 6’8’’ in shoes, with a 7’1’’ wingspan and 221 lbs at the 2015 Nike Basketball Academy … Measured 6’7 without shoes, 6’8 with shoes, 237 lbs, with a 7’3 wingspan and 8’9 standing reach at the June 2017 USA U19 tryouts

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