Player Breakdown: Jalen Washington
Jalen Washington Jalen Washington 6'10" | PF Gary Westside | 2022 State #32 Nation IN is a 6’9 Stretch 4 in the class of 2022. He is currently ranked as the #1 player in Indiana and is ranked #18 nationally…
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Continue ReadingJalen Washington Jalen Washington 6'10" | PF Gary Westside | 2022 State #32 Nation IN is a 6’9 Stretch 4 in the class of 2022. He is currently ranked as the #1 player in Indiana and is ranked #18 nationally in his class. The 225 pound forward is part of a new breed of 4 men that I like to call a skilled 4. Yes, he can stretch the floor with his shooting, however, he also has the ability to be an offensive playmaker from his position. It is not uncommon to see him passing the ball from the post or attacking a defender off the bounce. He has terrific hands, and a wide catch radius, making him a perfect target. Washington will be returning this year, after missing much of the last two seasons with injuries. Despite the setbacks, he’s accumulated quite the offers including offers from Michigan St, Indiana, Purdue, and Louisville to name a few. Washington will be a key piece for a good West Side squad ranked 7th in our Prep Hoops Indiana preseason 4A poll. Continue reading for a breakdown of Washington’s skills plus an exclusive interview with him.
Offense: Washington has a chance to be special offensively.
Low Post: He is one of the hardest working post players in the nation. He does a tremendous job of battling for position and uses great fundamentals. He likes to turn over his left shoulder and uses his right hand to finish around the basket.
Shooting: His low posts game grades out high, but it is his shooting and floor game that makes him a high major recruit. Washington is a knockdown shooter in catch and shoot situations and has great footwork in pick and pop situations. After setting screens he does a great job of using his pivots to make himself available and shot ready. He has a high and consistent release and easily stretches the floor to the college 3.
Ball Skills: Washington’s value on the floor comes from his ability to shoot the ball, but he also has shown the ability to put the ball on the floor as well. Once again it starts with his footwork, the forward does a terrific job of using front and reverse pivots to swing open, from there he is able to put the ball on the ground for 1 or 2 dribbles to get to the rim. It is extremely difficult for players of his size to stay in front of him on the perimeter and his shooting ability forces them to crowd him.
Defense: Washington is still a work in progress on the defensive end.
Rim Protection: His length is an obvious deterrent and his IQ allows him to help and rotate at a high level. He needs to improve his ability to wall up and go vertical, but a lot of that will come as he gets more game experience. Overall his length and activity alone allows him to alter or block several shots per game.
Rebounding: Washington has vacuum hands. Much like when catching, he has a wide radius and the ability to travel out of area and grab boards. He rebounds well in traffic and does a good job of keeping the ball high and away from swiping guards.
Ball Screens: His IQ and fundamentals allow him to do a great job of hedging and switching. He is also mobile enough to show and recover back to his man. With the college game moving more and more into ball screen action, his ability to play them becomes even more valuable.
Overall Projection: Health is the key for Washington. When he has stayed healthy he’s proven to be an elite stretch 4 and stacks up with many of the players in his class. He had a terrific summer for Meanstreets on the EYBL a couple of years ago, and a repeat performance this high school season may catapult him back into the top 10. His shooting for his position should be considered elite and based on his age (he doesn’t turn 17 until next February) there is a good chance that his body fills out and he will get stronger, all of which go a long way to making him one of the most intriguing prospects in the country.