Kentucky Basketball: 2019 NBA Draft profile of Wildcat forward PJ Washington
By Neil Adler
What to like about Washington’s game
Weighing in at 230 pounds, and with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, Washington is built solidly, has a strong framework, and possesses a range of appealing offensive attributes. He is agile and mobile, enabling Washington to effectively rebound on the offensive glass as well as record baskets in transition.
His quickness in the open-court is advantageous, Washington is a fairly good ball-handler, he finishes well around the hoop, and Washington has fantastic instincts on offense. In isolation situations, he is commendable at developing mismatches against smaller defenders.
As previously noted, Washington has vastly enhanced his 3-point shot, he can score judiciously in the post, Washington has a reliable jump hook, his leaping capacity enables him to do stuff above the rim, and Washington makes a high rate of attempts from the elbow.
For a one-month stretch, starting in late January, he tallied 10-straight contests where he accumulated a minimum of 15 points. In eight of those affairs, Washington notched at least 20 points. He missed Kentucky’s round of 64 and round of 32 match-ups in the 2019 Big Dance, both victories for the second-seeded Wildcats, due to a sprained foot.
Washington had an efficient, 16-point effort in Kentucky’s defeat of No. 3 seed Houston in the Sweet 16, then he poured in 28 points, on 10-of-18 from the field, and 13 boards in a heart-breaking overtime loss to fellow SEC school and No. 5 seed Auburn in the Elite Eight. On the biggest and brightest stage, and following an injury-related absence, Washington totally delivered.