Kentucky Basketball: 2019 NBA Draft profile of Wildcat forward PJ Washington

Areas for Washington to work on

One criticism of him is unpredictability. Despite numerous dominating achievements throughout 2018-19, Washington did have a handful of sub-par outings where he would generate 10 or fewer points. Now, in all fairness, the Wildcats, year after year, including during this past season, are loaded with supreme talent and a cadre of five-star recruits, so it’s not as if Washington amounted to the only stud on the 2018-19 roster who would get touches.

As such, the distribution of minutes and production for Kentucky, on an annual basis, is relatively balanced, which means dudes including Washington can only score so much. Still, his inconsistency is a tad concerning.

Several pieces on Washington that I perused mentioned that his shot is a bit awkward – and slow – as it pertains to its release. Washington’s success from the free-throw line has to get better. On occasion, he is foul- and turnover-prone and can fall into defensive lapses.

His height isn’t prototypical for a power forward in the pros. For that reason, it’s thought that Washington may have to extend his perimeter facets, such as becoming a more dependable outside shooter and ball handler. Since he won’t prove able to merely force his way by defenders in the NBA like he did in college, Washington will have to broaden his low-post moves.

Defensively speaking, Washington needs to address off-ball circumstances with upgraded precision. That, in turn, could result in additional blocks and steals. In general, his on-ball defense is sturdy, but Washington’s feel for the game must advance.