P.J. Washington Rumors | Hoops Rumors

PJ Washington To Return To Kentucky

May 30th, 2018 at 3:39pm CST by Luke Adams

Kentucky forward PJ Washington intends to return to the Wildcats for the 2018/19 season, he announced today (via Twitter). Washington posted a video that featured several of his highlight-reel plays and ended with the text, “I’m back.”

The No. 54 prospect on Jonathan Givony’s top-100 list at ESPN.com, Washington averaged 10.8 PPG and 5.7 RPG with a .519/.238/.606 shooting line in his freshman year with John Calipari‘s club.

When he announced his decision to test the draft waters earlier this spring, Washington stressed that he loves the Kentucky program and wasn’t in a hurry to decide on going pro, but was encouraged by Calipari to get feedback on where he stands.

Washington was one of several Kentucky underclassmen to declare for the 2018 NBA draft. Wenyen Gabriel and Jarred Vanderbilt, who were testing the waters like Washington, have yet to announce their decisions. Kevin Knox, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Hamidou Diallo are all going pro.

Draft Notes: Washington, Ward, Brown, Hudson

May 8th, 2018 at 10:51pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Kentucky freshman forward PJ Washington is working out for the Clippers this week and will meet with the Timberwolves and Bucks before next week’s draft combine, Fletcher Page of the Louisville Journal Courier reports. Washington, who has already visited the Celtics and Nets, has a pinky finger injury that will require surgery, Page continues. Father Paul Washington told Page that his son isn’t assured of staying in the draft.

“It’s real simple — if he’s guaranteed a first round pick, then he’ll stay in the draft,” Paul Washington said. “If he doesn’t get that, we’ll have to make a decision. It’s PJ’s decision.”

The 6’8” Washington is listed at No. 51 among Jonathan Givony’s top 100 prospects at ESPN.com. He averaged 10.8 PPG and 5.7 RPG for the Wildcats.

In other draft developments:

Michigan State sophomore center Nick Ward will work out for the Pistons this weekend, Brendan Quinn of The Athletic tweets. Ward has already worked out for the Knicks and Thunder and at least eight other teams are interested in bringing him in, Quinn adds. He averaged 12.4 PPG and 7.1 RPG for the Spartans. He is not listed among Givony’s top 100 prospects.
The Hawks are bringing in six prospects on Wednesday, according to a team press release. South Carolina forward Brian Bowen, Auburn guard Bryce Brown, Purdue guard Nojel Eastern, Maryland forward Bruno Fernando, Florida shooting guard Jalen Hudson and Utah Valley center Akolda Manyang are the players visiting Atlanta. Hudson, ranked No. 45 by Givony, is the most prominent member of the group.