As the Kentucky men’s basketball team embarks on the opening round of the 2019 NCAA Tournament against Abilene Christian at 7:10 p.m., sophomore forward PJ Washington is busy adding to his growing list of postseason accolades. The National Association of Basketball Coaches tabbed him to its All-District 21 First Team on Thursday.
He’s joined on the first team by Tennessee’s Grant Williams and Admiral Schofield, LSU’s Tremont Waters and Mississippi State’s Quinndary Weatherspoon.
Selected and voted on by member coaches of the NABC in NCAA Division I, the student-athletes represent the finest basketball players in America. The players are selected from schools that make up the Southeastern Conference.
Washington is averaging 17.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.4 blocks over the last 16 games. During that stretch, he’s shooting 51.7 percent from the floor and 44.4 from 3-point range. That span also includes three straight double-doubles vs. then-No. 9/10 Kansas, at Vanderbilt and at Florida.
Overall, Washington leads the Wildcats in both scoring (14.8 points per game) and rebounding (7.5 rpg). After mulling a decision to turn pro after last season, Washington is enjoying career highs in virtually every statistical category in his return for his sophomore season, including a team-high eight double-doubles.
For the season, Washington is shooting 51.5 percent from the floor and 41.9 percent from 3-point range. A year after hitting just five 3s in 37 games at a 23.8-percent rate, he’s drained 31 this season.
Perhaps the truest indicator of Washington’s worth this season is his impressive play vs. Kentucky’s best competition. In UK’s nine games vs. Associated Press Top 25 teams, Washington is averaging 16.1 points and 6.7 rebounds while shooting 53.1 percent.
Washington is racking up postseason honors by the day. The major honors he’s won so far include:
· NABC All-District 21 First Team
· USBWA All-America Third Team
· Sports Illustrated All-America Third Team
· All-SEC First Team (AP/Coaches)
· All-SEC Freshman Team (Coaches)
· Sporting News All-America Third Team
· USBWA All-District IV Team
· Karl Malone Award Finalist
· Wooden Award Finalist
· Naismith Citizen Trophy Semifinalist
· Two-time SEC Player of the Week
· Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week (Feb. 18)
‑ GO CATS –
For more information contact:
Eric Lindsey