ESPN recruiting director Paul Biancardi says UK got scoring guard in TyTy Washington who also has high basketball IQ

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Kentucky finally has a point guard for next season with Wednesday’s commitment from TyTy Washington. After the transfer of Devin Askew and de-commitment by Nolan Hickman Jr., coach John Calipari desperately needed to find a high profile point guard and he got one in Washington.

The 6-3 Washington, a consensus five-star prospect, is ranked as the 12th best player in the 2021 class and second-best point guard by ESPN. He averaged 24 points, seven assists, and six rebounds per game last season for Arizona Compass Prep and shot 48 percent from the field and 88 percent at the foul line. He hit 41 percent from 3-point range and recently won the 3-point contest at the Iverson Roundball Classic in Memphis. He also had a game-high 22 points in the all-star contest.

“Coach Cal told me if you come to Kentucky, you bet on yourself and I’ve always done that,” Washington, who made his announcement via ESPN SportsCenter Twitter.

ESPN national recruiting director Paul Biancardi sees Washington as a self-motivated, competitive, and winning player.

“Scoring is the strength of his game. He possesses the ability to score big points or make timely scoring plays. He is a high-end decision-maker in traffic or in the open floor. He is very adept at accumulating paint touches as he drives by defenders with a low base and a good change of burst,” Biancardi said.

“After he goes by his primary defender and touches the paint he makes the right read and play. That’s the sign of a high basketball IQ. His leadership skills were evident this year at Arizona Compass Prep after he led them to a win at Geico Nationals before falling to eventual champion Montverde Academy.”

Washington was not ranked among the nation’s elite players coming into his senior season before breaking into the ESPN top 100 in June. Biancardi had him at No. 34 in December and now he’s No. 12.

“Love his progress. Kentucky fans will too over the course of time,” Biancardi said.

John Calipari already does because he feels Washington has the physical and mental toughness to handle UK’s environment.

“He wanted this. He wanted the challenge,” Calipari said in a release from UK. “He is a combination guard who can play both point and off guard. He is a downhill runner who physically gets to the rim. His physical attributes and his mental approach leads me to believe he will be a terrific defender too.”

Biancardi says putting Washington with transfers Kellan Grady and CJ Frederick is an “ideal” situation for UK but not a final solution.

“All three can be shot makers. But if Kentucky is going to be deep and talented next year one more transfer could put them in a great spot. Or (Davion) Mintz has to come back,” Biancardi said.

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