Darius Washington celebrating at Memphis
A forgotten son of Memphis Tiger basketball, Darius Washington Jr was recently let go by the Chicago Bulls and is again putting in work overseas. Just recently, Washington Jr signed with Ural Great of the Russian Super League after failing to find a seat next to Aaron Gray on the Chicago pine. It made me wonder if Washington will ever make it to the NBA? Sure he had a cup of tea with the Spurs last year, but once Tony Parker was healthy it was back to the D-League and the Austin Toros.
It was only a few years ago that Darius made headlines by having a televised game against Sebastian Telfair of the TimberWolves (at the time playing for Lincoln High School and having cameras trail his every move, while Washington Jr suited up for Edgewater High in Orlando). Aside from a highly published high school career, Washington Jr is also known for being the cousin of NBA point guard, Chucky Atkins. Despite relation and competition with NBA players, Washington Jr is probably more well known for his now infamous moment at the Conference USA tournament in 2005, where he missed two of three free throws with no time on the clock against Louisville. Peep the video if you are not aware of what happened.
During his two year college career, Darius averaged 14.5 ppg, 3.2 rbds, and 3.5 dimes. He led Memphis to the NIT as a freshman and to the Elite 8 as a sophomore, where they lost to UCLA. Washington went undrafted in the 2006 NBA draft and opted for a career overseas. His non-American tour took him to Greece and the Czech Republic before he came home to play for Austin and San Antonio last year. Playing 18 games with the Spurs, Darius averaged 2.9 ppg, 1.1 boards, and 0.8 dimes. Darius has also has summer runs with Dallas and Milwaukee.
Is it possible for Washington Jr to ever fully latch on with a team in the league or is he destined for 10-day call-ups and life in the D-league? Also, where do you think Washington Jr ranks among the players that have run the point for John Calapari?
October 29th, 2008 at 7:33 am
that dude says:
Should have stayed in school! Dumb move!
October 29th, 2008 at 8:05 am
Elliot Rosado says:
It’s crazy the decisions these kids are forced to make. I truly believe that if he would have left after his senior year in H.S. he would have been drafted. Which is why Sebastian Telfair leaving after his senior turned out to be a great move. As much as peaople seem to think that Sebastian is a bust he has a guaranteed contract and is still in the league. Darius was just as good and his stock was just as high when coming out of H.S. He really doesn’t rank that high with the best Memphis Pg’s. Derick Rose, Penny Hardaway, Chucky Atkins, And Freshman Tyreke Evans will surpass him after this season.
October 29th, 2008 at 8:29 am
illest says:
telfair got his money and thats good. but hes a waste in the league so far and doesnt seem like he has worked on his game. i dont mind players leaving but if they dont improve their game they are disrepecting the game.
October 29th, 2008 at 8:44 am
InsideHoops.com says:
He signed in Russia a few days ago
October 29th, 2008 at 9:20 am
funkalot says:
Darius’ travails underscore the need to develop “real skills” at a position. He is smallish without a true PG’s game. He is serviceable as a point, but is not a playmaker. His jumper is inconsistent and defensively, he maintains gaps. His skillset or lack thereof portends for “off broadway” shine.
Bassy, is a playmaker and played decently last year when afforded minutes. I feel, he belongs in the league. However, his plight is his comportment. He is his own worst enemy, with the decisions he makes around “paranoia”, either real or perceived.
As for ranking Memphis PG’s under Calipari’s tenure:
1. Derrick Rose – Just on talent for one year
2. Antonio Burks – Most assists in Calipari era
3. Antonio Anderson – 2nd most assists in Cal era
4. Darius Washington – His assist to turnover ratio 1:1, not good for a “supposed” PG.
October 29th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
illest says:
bassy has no consistent jump shot, which you need as an nba point. especially if you are short. kidd has no shot but since hes 6 foot 4 he can get away with it. jameer nelson can shoot and thats what keeps him in the league.
October 29th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
Mr. K1X says:
he is making more $$ in Russia after taxes he was gonna see about 400,000 IF he stuck the whole season.
he is gonna get at least 450k for the season and more if they take the chip.
also, russian models are crazy hot!! i do not feel sorry for this kid at all, lol
October 29th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
Mr. K1X says:
btw, those missed free throws to win that game he missed changed his whole career.
October 29th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
PFTB says:
When you’re that small (under 6′2″) without exceptional talent and don’t lead your team to an NCAA championship,STAY IN SCHOOL.Sure the powers that be have more time to scrutinize your abilities,but you use that time to develop your game and enjoy whats left of “childhood”.
As you can see with someone like Andre Barrett (5′8″-5′10″)who did all the right things(stayed in school,got better,plays a flawless PG) its not easy to make it in the league regardless how talented you are.If he makes it before Andre I’ll boycott the NBA (for 1 year).
Also I think those missed free throws had the same effect on his career like it had on Nick Anderson’s.
October 29th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Trevor Kapp says:
sebastian and jr. really didn’t get along either. they had serious battles at abcd camp back when it existed and washington’s dad got involved and called sebastian a dirty player. read it about it in “the jump.” also funkalot, dajuan wagner has to be no. 2 on that list.
October 30th, 2008 at 11:31 am
funkalot says:
Trevor,
The question was asked how would you rank the players who have “run the point” for Calipari, not the order of the guards who have played for Cal. Juanny did not play the one, Antonio Burks did, as was evidenced by him leading the team in assists for three consecutive years, amassing a total that eclipses everyone, in cluding the prodigal Rose. However, the impact that Rose had on elevating the Tigers to the NCAA Chip, supersedes Antonio Burks’s accomplishments. But Juanny, was the two and scored , he was never a PG, even though he amassed the second highest assist total to Burks, in his only
year. Juanny like Darius had a horrible assist to turnover ratio (128a – 105 T) that is not PG material.
So, in my opinion he does not rate high as a “quasi” PG under Cal.
October 30th, 2008 at 11:39 am
kenny Patt says:
I was @ that HS showdown between Bassy & JR and although JR had 32pts, A trained eye could tell that Bassy was light yrs ahead of JR in terms of B.Ball IQ and true PG skills. It seemed like his pops gassed him up to leave too early just because Bassy was already there.
October 30th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
ali says:
the pg position is the most difficult to play in the pros. there are hundreds of pg’s who were great in hs and college, whose games just don’t transfer to the nba style of play. i think bassy is on the cusp, but without that jimmy, he’ll stay in europe.
October 30th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
funkalot says:
I guess in the end we have to be happy that a brother is getting paid to do what he loves. Inspite of whatever we think are his deficiencies, he is doing something positive and constructive with his life. He is a “professional baller”, playing in the “L” does not diminish that fact.
Keep doing your thing D, we will hold you down!
Funky is as funky does!
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:54 pm
Jon says:
Daruius is making more money than the average CEO, stay in school are you guys crazy. I have a master degree own my own company and don’t clear 500 grand a year. He has played in Greece, Russia and Turkey. Just brought his parents a 300.000 house and is 23 years old, NOT BAD!!!!