TyTy Washington Jr.

TyTy Washington Jr.
Washington with Kentucky in 2022
No. 14 – Phoenix Suns
PositionPoint guard
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (2001-11-15) November 15, 2001 (age 22)
Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school
CollegeKentucky (2021–2022)
NBA draft2022: 1st round, 29th overall pick
Selected by the Memphis Grizzlies
Playing career2022–present
Career history
2022–2023Houston Rockets
2022–2023→Rio Grande Valley Vipers
2023–2024Milwaukee Bucks
2023–2024→Wisconsin Herd
2024–presentPhoenix Suns
2024–present→Valley Suns
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata

Tyrone Lewis "TyTy" Washington Jr. (born November 15, 2001) is an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with the Valley Suns of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats. He was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top point guards in the 2021 class.

High school career

Washington played basketball for Cesar Chavez High School in Phoenix, Arizona. As a sophomore, he averaged 23.2 points, 4.1 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.3 steals per game.[1] Washington transferred to AZ Compass Prep School in Chandler, Arizona during his junior season.[2] As a senior, he averaged 24 points, seven assists, and six rebounds per game, leading his team to a 30–2 record.[3] He was named to the Jordan Brand Classic roster.[4]

Recruiting

Washington was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top point guards in the 2021 class. On November 15, 2020, he committed to playing college basketball for Creighton.[5] He decommitted on March 11, 2021, nine days after head coach Greg McDermott recalled telling his players, "I need everybody to stay on the plantation. I can't have anybody leave the plantation," following a loss in February.[6] On May 12, 2021, Washington committed to Kentucky over offers from Arizona, Baylor, Kansas, LSU and Oregon.[7]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
TyTy Washington
PG 		Phoenix, AZ AZ Compass Prep (AZ) 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) May 12, 2021 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals:5/5 stars   247Sports:5/5 stars    ESPN:5/5 stars   ESPN grade: 94
Overall recruiting rankings:   Rivals: 14  247Sports: 19  ESPN: 14
  • 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 2021 Basketball Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  • "2021 Kentucky Wildcats Recruiting Class". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  • "2021 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved August 20, 2021.

College career

On January 8, 2022, Washington recorded 17 points and 17 assists in a 92–77 win against Georgia, surpassing John Wall's single-game school record for assists.[8] On January 15, Washington scored a career-high 28 points in a 107–79 win against Tennessee.[9] As a freshman, Washington averaged 12.5 points, 3.9 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game. He was named to the Second Team All-SEC as well as the All-Freshman Team.[10] On April 6, Washington declared for the 2022 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.[11]

Professional career

Houston Rockets (2022–2023)

Washington was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies with the 29th overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft. The Grizzlies traded Washington and Walker Kessler to the Minnesota Timberwolves on draft night for Jake LaRavia. The Timberwolves subsequently traded Washington to the Houston Rockets for Wendell Moore. On October 2, 2022, Washington made his preseason debut, registering eight points along with three rebounds and one assist in a 134–96 win against the San Antonio Spurs.[12]

On July 8, 2023, Washington was traded to the Atlanta Hawks in a five-team trade.[13] On July 12, he was traded again, this time to the Oklahoma City Thunder, along with Usman Garuba, Rudy Gay and a 2026 second-round pick, in exchange for Patty Mills.[14] On August 18, he was waived by the Thunder.[15]

Milwaukee Bucks (2023–2024)

On August 29, 2023, Washington signed a two-way contract with the Milwaukee Bucks.[16]

Phoenix Suns (2024–present)

On August 2, 2024, Washington signed a two-way contract with the Phoenix Suns.[17]

Career statistics

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

NBA

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2022–23 Houston 31 2 14.0 .363 .238 .556 1.5 1.5 .5 .1 4.7
2023–24 Milwaukee 11 0 5.1 .300 .333 — .5 .5 .3 .0 1.3
Career 42 2 11.6 .356 .244 .556 1.2 1.2 .4 .0 3.8

College

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2021–22 Kentucky 31 29 29.2 .451 .350 .750 4.5 3.9 1.3 .2 12.5

References

  1. ^ Obert, Richard (November 14, 2019). "TyTy Washington ready to make hoops history at Cesar Chavez". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  2. ^ Obert, Richard (December 26, 2019). "Cesar Chavez hoops moves on without star TyTy Washington, routs Tempe". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  3. ^ Tucker, Kyle (April 14, 2021). "After his decommitment from Creighton, TyTy Washington is blowing up — and could head to Kentucky". The Athletic. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  4. ^ Lindsey, Eric (May 23, 2021). "Three UK MBB Signees Selected to Jordan Brand Classic Roster". University of Kentucky Athletics. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  5. ^ Nyatawa, Jon (November 15, 2020). "Four-star guard TyTy Washington commits to Creighton". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  6. ^ Boren, Cindy (April 15, 2021). "Creighton loses a prized recruit over Coach Greg McDermott's plantation comment". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  7. ^ Borzello, Jeff and Biancardi, Paul (May 12, 2021). "Five-star point guard TyTy Washington commits to Kentucky Wildcats". ESPN. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  8. ^ "Tshiebwe, Washington help No. 16 Kentucky top Georgia 92–77". ESPN. Associated Press. January 8, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  9. ^ "Washington helps No. 18 Kentucky rout No. 22 Tennessee". ESPN. Associated Press. January 15, 2022. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
  10. ^ "Men's Basketball All-SEC Teams & Awards Announced" (Press release). Southeastern Conference. March 8, 2022. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
  11. ^ Wojnarowski, Adrian (April 6, 2022). "Kentucky freshman guard TyTy Washington Jr. entering NBA draft, plans to hire agent". ESPN. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  12. ^ "San Antonio Spurs vs. Houston Rockets - NBA Box Score - October 2, 2022". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  13. ^ "Atlanta Hawks Acquire Usman Garuba, Tyty Washington Jr., Future Draft Picks and Cash Considerations". NBA.com. July 8, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  14. ^ "Thunder Acquires Usman Garuba, Rudy Gay, Tyty Washington Jr. and 2026 Second-Round Draft Pick". NBA.com. July 12, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  15. ^ Adams, Luke (August 18, 2023). "Thunder Waive TyTy Washington Jr". HoopsRumors.com. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  16. ^ "Milwaukee Bucks sign TyTy Washington Jr. to a two-way contract". NBA.com. August 29, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  17. ^ "SUNS SIGN TYTY WASHINGTON JR. TO TWO-WAY CONTRACT". NBA.com. August 2, 2024. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
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