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P. J. Washington

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P. J. Washington
No. 25 – Dallas Mavericks
PositionPower forward
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (1998-08-23) August 23, 1998 (age 26)
Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Listed weight230 lb (104 kg)
Career information
High school
CollegeKentucky (2017–2019)
NBA draft2019: 1st round, 12th overall pick
Selected by the Charlotte Hornets
Playing career2019–present
Career history
2019–2024Charlotte Hornets
2024–presentDallas Mavericks
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing the  United States
FIBA Under-19 World Cup
Bronze medal – third place 2017 Egypt Team
FIBA Americas U18 Championship
Gold medal – first place 2016 Chile Team

Paul Jamaine Washington Jr. (born August 23, 1998[1]) is an American professional basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats. After being selected by the Charlotte Hornets in the first round of the 2019 NBA draft with the 12th overall pick, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2020. Washington was traded to the Mavericks at the trade deadline in February 2024, helping the team reach the 2024 NBA Finals.

Early life

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Washington was born in Louisville, Kentucky. His family moved to St. Louis and Chicago before settling in Frisco, Texas. Washington attended Prime Prep Academy in Dallas after a brief stint at Lone Star High School in Frisco, before transferring to Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nevada, where he joined fellow five-star recruits Allonzo Trier and Derryck Thornton.[1] As junior, he averaged 16.8 points, 9.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. After his junior season, Washington suited up for his AAU team, Team Penny, sponsored by former NBA All-Star Penny Hardaway, on the Nike EYBL circuit.[2] As a senior, Washington averaged 19.6 points, 9.4 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game.[3] Washington was selected to both the 2017 Jordan Brand Classic and McDonald's All-American Game.[4][5]

Recruiting

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Washington was rated as a five-star recruit and the No. 12 overall recruit and No. 3 power forward in the 2017 high school class by Scout.com, Rivals.com and ESPN.[6][7][8] On November 10, 2016, he committed to Kentucky, signing his letter of intent on November 20.[9]

College recruiting information
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
P. J. Washington
PF 		Frisco, Texas Findlay Prep (NV) 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 230 lb (100 kg) Nov 10, 2016 
Star ratings: Scout:5/5 stars   Rivals:5/5 stars   247Sports:5/5 stars    ESPN:5/5 stars   ESPN grade: 95
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: #13   Rivals: #11  247Sports: #13  ESPN: #11
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Kentucky 2017 Basketball Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  • "2017 Kentucky Basketball Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  • "2017 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  • "2017 Kentucky 24/7 Sports Commits". 247sports.com. Retrieved September 6, 2016.

College career

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Throughout most of his freshman season at Kentucky, Washington played through a pinkie injury that required surgery in the summer. In the NCAA Tournament loss to Kansas State, Washington led Kentucky with 18 points and 15 rebounds.[10] Washington averaged 10.8 points and 5.7 rebounds per game as a freshman. After the season, he declared for the NBA draft, but announced his return on May 30, 2018.[11]

Following Kentucky's loss to Auburn in the 2019 NCAA men's basketball tournament, Washington announced his intention to forgo his final two seasons of collegiate eligibility and declare for the 2019 NBA draft, where he was projected to be a first-round selection.[12]

Professional career

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Charlotte Hornets (2019–2024)

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Washington was selected as the 12th overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2019 NBA draft.[13] On July 3, 2019, Washington officially signed with the Hornets[14] and on October 23 he made his debut in NBA, started in a 126–125 win over the Chicago Bulls with 27 points, 4 rebounds, an assist, a steal and a block. He also made 7 three-pointers, the most in an NBA debut in NBA history.[15] On October 31, he scored 23 points and 8 rebounds in a 118–111 win over the Sacramento Kings.[16] On November 29, Washington put up 26 points and 5 rebounds in a 110–107 victory against the Detroit Pistons.[17] On September 15, 2020, Washington was named 2019–20 NBA All-Rookie Second Team by the NBA.[18]

On February 28, 2021, Washington scored a then career-high 42 points to help the Charlotte Hornets win over the Sacramento Kings.[19] On March 28, 2023, he scored a career-high 43 points in a 137–134 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.[20] On August 29, Washington re-signed with the Hornets on a 3-year, 48 million dollar contract.[21][22] On January 27, 2024, Washington tied his career-high 43 points in a 134–122 loss to the Utah Jazz.[23]

Dallas Mavericks (2024–present)

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On February 8, 2024, Washington was traded, alongside two future second–round picks, to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Seth Curry, Grant Williams, and a 2027 first–round pick that is top 2 protected.[24] On February 10, Washington made his Mavericks debut, putting up 14 points, five rebounds, and one steal in a 146–111 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.[25] On April 5, Washington put up 32 points alongside a game-winner in a 108–106 win over the Golden State Warriors.[26] On April 26, in Game 3 of the first round of the playoffs against the Los Angeles Clippers during a 101–90 win, Washington was ejected after being involved in a confrontation with Russell Westbrook.[27] On May 11, in Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals, Washington led the Mavericks with 27 points during a 105–101 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.[28] In Game 6, Washington was fouled on a three-point attempt by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with 2.5 seconds to go. He sunk the first two free throws to put the Mavericks up by 1 and intentionally missed the third. Jalen Williams subsequently missed a half court shot, and the Mavericks beat the Thunder in a 117–116 victory to advance to the Western Conference Finals.[29] Washington helped the Mavericks reach the 2024 NBA Finals where they lost to the Boston Celtics in five games.[30]

Career statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high
 *  Led the league

NBA

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Regular season

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2019–20 Charlotte 58 57 30.3 .455 .374 .647 5.4 2.1 .9 .8 12.2
2020–21 Charlotte 64 61 30.5 .440 .386 .745 6.5 2.5 1.1 1.2 12.9
2021–22 Charlotte 65 28 27.2 .470 .365 .716 5.2 2.3 .9 .9 10.3
2022–23 Charlotte 73 73 32.6 .444 .348 .730 4.9 2.4 .9 1.1 15.7
2023–24 Charlotte 44 17 29.2 .446 .324 .713 5.3 2.2 .9 .7 13.6
Dallas 29 28 32.2 .421 .314 .627 6.2 1.5 1.2 .9 11.7
Career 333 264 30.3 .447 .354 .705 5.5 2.2 .9 1.0 12.9

Play-in

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2021 Charlotte 1 1 30.5 .300 .400 — 7.0 1.0 .0 2.0 8.0
2022 Charlotte 1 1 38.2 .700 .600 — 6.0 2.0 1.0 2.0 17.0
Career 2 2 34.3 .500 .500 — 6.5 1.5 .5 2.0 12.5

Playoffs

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2024 Dallas 22* 22* 35.7 .427 .348 .709 6.6 1.4 .7 .8 13.0
Career 22 22 35.7 .427 .348 .709 6.6 1.4 .7 .8 13.0

College

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2017–18 Kentucky 37 30 27.4 .519 .238 .606 5.7 1.5 .8 .8 10.8
2018–19 Kentucky 35 33 29.3 .522 .423 .663 7.5 1.8 .8 1.2 15.2
Career 72 63 28.3 .521 .384 .632 6.6 1.7 .8 1.0 12.9

Personal life

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Washington's parents met at Middle Tennessee State, where they both played basketball. Upon graduation, his father became a General Manager at a car sales company and coached his middle school team, while his mother went on to become a teacher at his middle school. Washington has a brother, Spencer, and a sister, Alexandria.[1]

Washington married Alisah Chanel in October 2023, whom he has a son with, named Preston.[31][32] He also has a son named Paul Jermaine Washington III, born in 2021 with Brittany Renner.[33]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Townsend, Brad (April 19, 2024). "How P.J. Washington, the hometown kid, helped spark Dallas Mavericks' late-season charge". The Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on April 19, 2024.
  2. ^ Roberts, Ben (July 10, 2016). "Top power forward P.J. Washington has Kentucky roots, and UK wants him for 2017". Lexington Herald Leader. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  3. ^ "PJ Washington Findlay Prep Stats". MaxPreps.com. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  4. ^ "Kentucky signee PJ Washington continues Findlay Prep tradition at Jordan Brand Classic". USA Today High School Sports. March 2, 2017. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  5. ^ Marcum, Jason (January 15, 2017). "4 Kentucky Wildcats Named to McDonald's All-American Game". A Sea of Blue. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  6. ^ "P.J. Washington, Findlay Prep, Power Forward". 247sports.com.
  7. ^ "P.J. Washington – Basketball Recruiting – Player Profiles". ESPN.
  8. ^ "PJ Washington, 2017 Power forward – Rivals.com". n.rivals.com. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  9. ^ Niesen, Joan (August 11, 2017). "Versatile PJ Washington a key cog in Kentucky's Reloading Effort". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  10. ^ Hale, Jon (August 8, 2018). "Can Reid Travis and PJ Washington play together in the same UK lineup?". Louisville Courier-Journal. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  11. ^ "PJ Washington will return as Kentucky's leading scorer; Wenyen Gabriel, Jarred Vanderbilt staying in draft". ESPN. Associated Press. May 30, 2018. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  12. ^ "Kentucky's Washington declares for NBA draft". ESPN. April 9, 2019.
  13. ^ Wash, Quinton (June 20, 2019). "Hornets Select PJ Washington With The 12th Pick In The 2019 NBA Draft". NBA.com. Retrieved July 4, 2019.
  14. ^ "Hornets Sign First-Round Draft Pick PJ Washington". NBA.com. July 3, 2019. Retrieved July 4, 2019.
  15. ^ "Hornets rookie Washington nets 27 in 126–125 win over Bulls". ESPN.com. October 23, 2019. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  16. ^ "Hornets rally from 14 down to beat winless Kings 118–111". ESPN.com. Associated Press. October 30, 2019. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  17. ^ "Hornets edge Pistons again, 110–107". ESPN.com. November 29, 2019. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
  18. ^ "Ja Morant, Zion Williamsom headline 2019–20 Kia All-Rookie First Team Tyler Herro, Rui Hachimura voted to Second Team". NBA.com. September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  19. ^ "P.J. Washington scores career-high 42 points". NBA.com. February 28, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  20. ^ Perley, Sam (March 28, 2023). "Hornets Win Wild One In OKC Behind Washington's Career-High 43 PTS". NBA.com. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  21. ^ "Hornets Re-Sign P.J. Washington Jr". NBA.com. August 29, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  22. ^ Wojnarowski, Adrian (August 26, 2023). "P.J. Washington staying with Hornets on new 3-year, $48M deal". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  23. ^ "Markkanen scores 33, Jazz build 36-point lead in 134–122 victory over Hornets". ESPN.com. January 27, 2024. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  24. ^ Sefko, Eddie (February 8, 2024). "MAVERICKS ACQUIRE WASHINGTON, GAFFORD TO BOLSTER FRONT LINE". Mavs.com. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  25. ^ Mistretta, Joey (February 10, 2024). "3 Mavericks takeaways after PJ Washington Jr, Daniel Gafford debut in win vs. Thunder". ClutchPoints. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
  26. ^ Mistretta, Joey (April 5, 2024). "Mavericks' PJ Washington goes full clutch-mode vs. Warriors amid Luka Doncic's absence". ClutchPoints. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  27. ^ Ward-Henninger, Colin (April 26, 2024). "Russell Westbrook, PJ Washington ejected from Game 3 after hard foul on Luka Doncic". CBS Sports. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  28. ^ Wright, Michael (May 11, 2024). "Thunder-Mavericks: 5 takeaways as P.J. Washington comes through in Game 3". nba.com. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  29. ^ Dixon, Schuyler (May 18, 2024). "P.J. Washington's free throws finish rally as Mavs beat Thunder 117–116 to reach West finals". nba.com. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  30. ^ "Boston Celtics defeat Dallas Mavericks to win 2024 NBA Finals". cbsnews.com. June 17, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  31. ^ Macasero, Michael (October 30, 2023). "PJ Washington ties the knot with his second baby mama Alisah Chanel 2 years after breaking up with Brittany Renner". Sportskeeda.
  32. ^ "THE WASHINGTONS 💍 Part 1 🤍". www.instagram.com. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  33. ^ staff, B. C. K. (November 6, 2023). "PJ WASHINGTON, WIFE ALISAH, AND KIDS ARE PICTURE-PERFECT". BCK Online. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
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