Washington chooses Carolina blue
West Side star, who will miss senior season, signs to play for Tar Heels
Decked in North Carolina gear, Jalen Washington signed his national letter of intent Wednesday, the first day of the early period, during a celebration at the West Side Theatre Guild.
The next time the 6-foot-9 senior forward plays competitively figures to be in a Tar Heels uniform for coach Hubert Davis.
Washington, considered a fivestar recruit, will miss his final season with the Cougars. He underwent surgery Sept. 29 for a partially torn ACL and torn lateral meniscus in his right knee, having suffered a “reinjury,” he said, in late July at the National Basketball Players Association Top 100 camp in Orlando.
Washington also missed his sophomore season with a torn ACL in his right knee, and he was sidelined for almost all of his freshman season after fracturing his shoulder in the first game.
Having ditched his brace and been off crutches for “quite some time,” he said, he adeptly has already come to terms with this injury.
“It’s just thinking long term,” Washington told the Post-Tribune. “It’s just a small bump in the road. It’s all part of the journey. To get where I want to be, I know there are going to be bumps and bruises that go along with it.”
Washington said the time has gone quickly since he announced his verbal commitment to North Carolina on July 9.
“It’s just an amazing feeling to make it this far,” he said. “I’m just appreciative of the opportunity.”
Washington, an Indiana Junior All-Star last season who averaged 12.5 points and six rebounds, helped the Cougars reach the Class 4A Lafayette Jefferson Semistate, where they lost a heartbreaker in overtime to eventual state champion Carmel. He will not have the opportunity to pursue additional team and individual accolades — he has been considered a contender for Mr. Basketball — this season.
West Side senior guard Nisaiah King got choked up about not being able to finish his high school career with his “brother” on the court, as Washington’s teammates attended the ceremony.
West Side coach Chris Buggs said Washington missed just a single day of school following surgery.
“I’m so surprised how he’s handled it,” Buggs said. “He was obviously devastated to hear he couldn’t play with his teammates. His senior year, he had a lot of goals he’s not going to be able to meet.
“But what he realized is it’s a way to expand his life outside of basketball. He’s spent more time with his family, more time with his friends. He’s thought about what he wants to be outside of basketball, career paths.
“As much as he wants to play basketball, that’s what we preach to our kids. We use basketball as a tool to change your life, learn some life skills. His toughness and forttude are exceptional. I’m really proud of him. I’m confident when his career is over he’s not going to struggle with what comes next.”
School and district administrators and coaches all praised Washington for his scholarship, citizenship and inspiration to the
community, beyond his athletic ability. Near the top of his class academically, Washington plans to study business administration. He was humbled by the outpouring.
“It really warms my heart just because it’s not something you constantly talk about every day,” Washington said. “It’s not like you’re specifically trying to be this or that. You’re just being you. It means a lot that I’m just being me and they have those outstanding words.
“Since I’ve been playing basketball, you’re always on the go. It feels good to kinda slow down and see everybody who was part of your journey come together.”
Washington was asked about his message to the next generation.
“One of the biggest things, think long term,” he said. “It’s not just about playing and being in the moment. Think long term and think about what you want your life to be after the ball stops bouncing.
“Make sure you go to class. We have to have a higher standard for that. Just make sure you go to class, you’re engaged in the classroom and you want to do the work. It can be hard sometimes given the position you’re in, whatever you have going on when you’re not at school, when you’re at home.
“Just try your best to set yourself up for success in the future.”
Washington’s family has supported and encouraged him and has kept him grounded. As he signed his paperwork, he was flanked by his father, Jimmie Washington Sr.; his mother, Jada Sterling; and his brother, Jimmie Washington Jr., a 2019 West Side graduate.
The elder Washington became emotional when explaining what the moment meant.
“I just wish you to go forth and do great things,” he said. “I’m really proud of you. We’ve all experienced some bumps and bruises along the way, but we’re still standing, still moving forward.”
Buggs too had to fight back tears at one point. He later described the mission for he and assistant coach Sean Smith, his longtime best friend.
“It’s a surreal moment,” Buggs said. “When we took this job, the goal was to change lives. Another life changed. Seeing (Washington) in sixth, seventh grade growing up, to see him mature from a young boy to a man, it’s been an awesome journey. Tough journey sometimes, but well worth it. Coming from Gary to be a light, a shining example for a lot of kids coming up, it’s just awesome. He’s like a perfect role model.
“I appreciate Coach Davis and his staff for sticking with him through some tough times. They know what kind of kid they’re getting — a great student first, a good person overall, and they know he’s going to work really hard in the classroom and on the court. … To see his journey, to be part of it and see the smile on his family’s faces, it’s really special and really emotional.”
With practice having officially started Monday, Washington has remained involved.
“I’m definitely going to try to be one of those player-coaches,” he said. “I want to be one of those guys my teammates can rely on, whether it’s about film or workouts or nonbasketball-related.
“I want to be a resource for them. And they help me all the time as well, just getting away from basketball and staying connected to basketball too. Being around them, it’ll be really helpful for the both of us.”