P. J. Washington

About

Paul Jamaine Washington Jr. (born August 23, 1998) is an American professional basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats.
After being selected by the Charlotte Hornets in the first round of the 2019 NBA draft with the 12th overall pick, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2020. Washington was traded to the Mavericks at the trade deadline in February 2024, helping the team reach the 2024 NBA Finals.

Washington was born in Louisville, Kentucky. His family moved to St. Louis and Chicago before settling in Frisco, Texas. Washington attended Prime Prep Academy in Dallas after a brief stint at Lone Star High School in Frisco, before transferring to Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nevada, where he joined fellow five-star recruits Allonzo Trier and Derryck Thornton. As junior, he averaged 16.8 points, 9.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. After his junior season, Washington suited up for his AAU team, Team Penny, sponsored by former NBA All-Star Penny Hardaway, on the Nike EYBL circuit. As a senior, Washington averaged 19.6 points, 9.4 rebounds and 6.1 assists per…