TyTy Washington thanked UK fans for their support but is now headed to the NBA. (Photo by Vicky Graff)
It really was no surprise Wednesday when freshman guard TyTy Washington not only announced he was entering the NBA Draft but also hiring an agent to eliminate any chance he will return to Kentucky for a sophomore season.
Most mock drafts still have the freshman guard projected as a lottery pick in the upcoming NBA Draft but at worse a solid first-round pick.
The 6-4 Washington averaged 12.5 points, 3.9 assists and 1.2 steals last season and showed he could easily handle playing point guard. He was injured twice during the last two months of the season and even though he insisted he was 100 percent back he finally admitted Wednesday he played hurt — and that likely had a lot to do with UK’s slide in the final month of the season.
“I wasn’t anywhere close to full strength in the past two months of the season,” Washington told ESPN NBA Draft analyst Jonathan Givony. “My ankle had moments where it felt really good and then others it was really hurting.
“After the Auburn game, that’s when things went downhill. It was a nagging injury that I never really got right. I’m still not 100 percent now, but I’m getting close. The warrior mentality instilled in me by my mom and dad had me playing in games that I probably shouldn’t have. I think NBA teams were able to see how tough I am.”
It’s not a shock Washington is finally admitting he was not 100 percent from ankle and wrist injuries. His mentality was to play and help UK win and clearly UK coach John Calipari had input from UK’s medical staff that Washington was healthy enough to play.
“When I was healthy, NBA teams were able to learn that I’m a point guard who can score and facilitate as well,” Washington told Givony. “Before I got hurt, they saw how good of a shooter I am — able to play with the ball in my hands and without the ball.”
Washington has had a meteoric rise the last year or so. He was not highly rated going into his senior season at Arizona Compass but steadily climbed the rankings. He was originally committed to Creighton but once he de-committed, Kentucky was one of the schools to come calling.
“From Coach Cal, to everyone involved with Kentucky basketball, I can’t thank you enough for the support. The experience and the knowledge I can carry forward from my time here at Kentucky will help me be a better man and player moving forward,” Washington said in a statement through UK. “The fans have supported me through the ups and downs of this past season, and I am proud to say I will always be a member of Big Blue Nation.”
Calipari has given his blessing to Washington as he normally does to players ready to try their luck at the next level.
“I’m excited for TyTy and his family because I know with his work ethic, his ability to play within himself and allow the game to come to him, that he will have the opportunity to be another one of our guys to find success in that league,” Calipari said. “TyTy’s best days as a basketball player are in front of him and he and his family know that they have my full support as he chases his dreams.”
Washington was a terrific teammate at Kentucky, always smiling and more than willing to play in pain to try and help UK. However, his admission Wednesday that he was not healthy the last two months certainly confirms what many thought as UK struggled to the finish line this season.
Washington’s mother also has some health issues and while his parents certainly would have been fine with him staying at UK, it’s not hard to sense he’s ready to try to do anything he can to help his parents and first-round NBA Draft money can certainly help him do that.
