TyTy Washington was one of three SEC players picked in the first round by the Houston Rockets Thursday night. (Houston Rockets Photo)
Sometimes life doesn’t always exactly seem fair but TyTy Washington is not one to dwell on what might have been.
At one time he was being projected as a lottery pick in Thursday’s NBA draft. He was seen as a lock for a top 20 pick by most basketball analysts.
He appeared in 31 games last season and made 29 starts while averaging 12.5 points, 3.9 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game. Washington also led the SEC with a 2.35 assist-to-turnover ratio and hit 35 percent from 3-point range. He was also an above-average defender before the first of several ankle injuries he suffered.
Washington was willing to play hurt and didn’t mind playing at two guard rather than his preferred point guard position.
Yet Washington slipped to 29th in the draft where he was selected by Memphis and then traded to Houston.
“I mean, every player wants to be a top pick, high pick and stuff like that. As I was falling, I wasn’t really stressing about it. It only takes one team to believe in you, and you can go out there and shock the world,” Washington said.
“That’s kind of my mindset on it. I always bet on myself, so I’m just going to go out there with a chip on my shoulder and remember all the teams that skipped me.”
That’s the mentality he’s always had. He’s never backed down. Remember he was verbally committed to Creighton before comments by the coach turned him off and had him decommit. He went to work, rose in the rankings to become a top 20 player and ended up at UK where he was a second-team all-SEC pick.
His sort of UK teammate, Shaedon Sharpe, didn’t play for the Wildcats but still went seventh in the draft. Maybe he’s that much better than Washington. Maybe he’s not. But for my money, give me a player like Washington who puts the team first, plays through pain and lets his play do his talking.
He can attack the lane or hit a 3-pointer or create for teammates. He’s 6-3, 200 pounds but likely will add weight and strength now that he’s a full-time professional player. His versatility and skills could make him a steal for Houston much like Tyrese Maxey was for Philadelphia and Immanuel Quickley for New York two years ago.
Washington knew he was headed to Houston when Memphis drafted him because the Rockets called him to let him know.
“I know a few guys that are already on the team as of right now. So I feel like I can just go in there and connect with the guys on and off the court and it’s going to be an easy transition,” Washington said. “Houston is a pretty fun city, so we’re going to make sure Toyota Center is full and going to turn up.”
He knows current Rockets Josh Christopher, Jalen Green and Daishen Nix — all one-time UK recruiting targets He said he has known Green and Christopher since sixth grade from playing against them in AAU events in California.
“Just seeing their faces and talking to them, I’m really well connected with them. I know them on a personal level. So that’s pretty cool,” he said.
The Rockets also picked Auburn’s Jabari Smith (third) and LSU’s Tari Eason(17th) in the first round also.
“We played in the same conference in college. So I’m familiar with their games. Me and Jabari played a little bit in high school together in a camp, so I know how he plays as well. I feel like us three are going to jell really good together,” Washington said.
One Response
Those teams did so for good reasons. Ty has shown moments of all star talent. He has also shown moments of being soft and self centered. Now, instead of talk big about what you are going to do, just go out there and do it.