Washington, a guard out of CATS Academy in Massachusetts, jumped 12 spots in this update and now sits at #12 overall in the rankings. At 6’3″ with a big frame, he’s a power guard that is at his best when he gets downhill off the bounce. He can finish plays through contact, has the ability to create scoring chances for his teammates off the bounce, and impresses with his ability to knock down shots in bunches from behind the arc. Defensively, he plays with good strength and has the ability to guard any of the three perimeter spots. Washington announced yesterday that he’ll transfer to the Darrow School (NY) this fall. He’ll play his travel ball this year with BABC.

Washington, a guard out of CATS Academy in Massachusetts, checks in at #6 among the shooting guards and #24 overall. A big and physical guard, Washington does a nice job of making plays off the bounce, leveraging his strength as a downhill driver to get to the rim, where he finishes at a high rate. He plays at different speeds as a ball-handler and shows the ability to direct an offense as a secondary ball-handler. Defensively, he’s willing to sit in a stance and really makes opponents work to get to their spots, showing good lateral mobility on that end of the floor.

Washington spent time on the CATS B team last season, but I think there’s a chance he could get some minutes on the scholastic team this year as a result of his shooting and passing ability. The sophomore is one of the best shooters on the squad and gets his shot off very quickly when on the move, which makes him a really solid off-ball player. As a creator, he does a great job finding pocket passes and operating in the pick and roll. The 6-foot-3 guard has great strength, quickness and athleticism, and he has a very bright future ahead.

Washington can impact games offensively in a variety of ways and has the chance to play himself into a bigger role this winter at CATS Academy. He’s a bigger guard that can operate on or off the ball, plays with great pace, and has a terrific feel for the game on the offensive end of the floor. He scores in the paint with strength, gets to his spots in the mid-range with creatiivity, and knocks down shots from behind the arc in catch and shoot situations. Defensively, he can guard any spot on the perimeter, uses his frame to his advatange when being physical, and has the ability to rebound in space and in traffic.

In a defensive battle on both sides, the team that made shots consistently was going to have the edge and Washington provided that for his team on Friday morning. Knocking down a handful of shots off the catch, Washington also has a strong frame that allowed him to be physical on both ends of the court. I also was impressed with Washington’s relocation ability off the ball, moving to generate open looks and shooting the ball with confidence.

Washington is a tweener power guard who showcased his scoring dexterity. He is a mismatch nightmare because he can play inside and out. Not many 15u players can battle his physical intangibles and bruises his way to paint touches effortlessly. He was in good spots on the floor to get rebounds. His play was a bright spot for his Expressions 15u team. He is a prospect I look forward to tracking over the coming years.

Aiding Kamagate from the backcourt as Expressions picked up a tough win over Team Thrill, Washington impressed with his advanced feel and well-rounded overall skillset on the perimeter. The big-bodied guard caught the eye at first with his outside shot, firing a gorgeous ball off the catch with a lightning-quick release that allows him to string makes together in bunches if he shakes free. As the game went on, Washington went on to show a balanced game off the dribble, using his strong frame, polished handle, and mature pace to work his way to spots while keeping his head up to survey for open teammates. It will take further viewings to get a feel for where he may slot in defensively at the next level, but we look forward to continuing to evaluate Washington and his diverse offensive attack in the years to come.

There’s a chance Washington was the most impressive player I saw at the showcase when taking into account age and potential moving forward. He’s only a rising freshman, but he’s 6-foot-3 and very strong-bodied. Additionally, he’s got solid offensive skills; he can handle it well for his size and has really impressive finishing touch off the glass. Most impressive, though, was Washington’s motor; he was hustling and defending all day, even though many others weren’t. Incredibly bright future ahead for Washington, who will almost definitely be getting D1 looks in short order.