Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Jr. guard finds role for ASU
In her first year last season under Coach Matt Daniel, Arkansas State University guard Jireh Washington scored 13.0 points per game and excelled personally, but the Red Wolves’ offense struggled as ASU finished 11-19.
In 2020-21, the Red Wolves (9-1) are off to their best start since 1999-2000 and stand third-best in the Sun Belt Conference with 75.7 points per game with Washington at the center of it all.
“I had to get adjusted to the system,” Washington said. “Coach has trusted me to run his system the way that I should run it, and I’ve gained a confidence. It’s given me motivation everyday because he’s got trust in me and he trusts me to get the work done.”
Washington has blossomed in her junior season, leading the Red Wolves with a team-high 12.4 points to go with 4.5 rebounds per game. In Washington, ASU has a lead guard who is growing into her game, and one who has gained a grasp of the system in Daniel’s second season, helping place the Red Wolves atop the Sun Belt’s West Division.
“She’s growing up,” Daniel said. “She’s just maturing and handling that better. She’s getting better with every bounce.”
A key difference in 2020-21 has been the communication between Washington and Daniel. As a sophomore, she spent much of the year attempting to adjust to the offense Daniel was implementing, only beginning to gain comfort at the end the season.
As a junior, she knows the offense, and has also developed a relationship with Daniel that has given each a level of confidence and understanding that is paying off for ASU.
“It took time to build trust,” Washington said. “It takes a while for a player and a coach to gain trust for one another. I trust him.”
With Washington hitting her best form since arriving to the Red Wolves, ASU has a veteran guard it can lean on in conference play as the Red Wolves aim to sustain the early momentum they’ve built in January.
“She’s been through [the Sun Belt] and knows what it looks like,” Daniel said. “She’s wanting to get better. She’s more thirsty and hungry to strive and elevate her game.”