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Kentucky basketball soars up recruiting rankings with TyTy Washington commitment

By Scott Rogust

March 26, 2021; Chandler, AZ, USA; TyTy Washington warms up before practice at the AZ Compass Prep gym on March 26, 2021. Credit: Meg Potter/The Arizona RepublicAz Compass Prep
March 26, 2021; Chandler, AZ, USA; TyTy Washington warms up before practice at the AZ Compass Prep gym on March 26, 2021. Credit: Meg Potter/The Arizona RepublicAz Compass Prep /
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Five-star recruit TyTy Washington has chosen to commit to Kentucky over other top college basketball problems.

The Kentucky Wildcats have a history of getting the top high school basketball recruits to commit to their program. On Wednesday, the Wildcats landed one of the top point guards in the entire country.

During an appearance on ESPN’s SportsCenter, TyTy Washington announced he has committed to Kentucky over other top schools such as Oregon, LSU, Arizona, Baylor and Kansas.

“There is a big challenge at Kentucky for playing time and a leadership role,” Washington said, per ESPN’s Jeff Borzello and Paul Biancardi. “I always liked a challenge. The first time I spoke to Coach Cal, he said if you are not willing to bet on yourself, this is not the place for you. I have always been a big believer in myself no matter what. The belief comes from my parents, coaches, family and the work I put in, especially when times weren’t good.”

Five-star recruit TyTy Washington is a big get for Kentucky basketball

Washington is a 6-foot-3, 185-pound guard out of Chandler, Ariz. ranked as 247Sports’ No. 21 recruit in the country and No. 2 prospect in the state. He previously committed to Creighton last November, per 247Sports, but de-committed in March after head coach Greg McDermott made a racially insensitive comment that led to his suspension.

The recruit played in five games his junior year, where he averaged 22.6 points, 5.4 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 3.2 steals per game while shooting 58.0-percent from the field, per MaxPreps. Through his three seasons at high school, Washington averaged 20.1 points, 4.1 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 2.8 steals while shooting 55 percent from the field and 41 percent from the three-point line.

After a down season, the Wildcats look to be back on the rise, especially after successfully recruiting Washington. With the commitment from Washington, he joins fellow five-star commit, Daimion Collins, the No. 10 player, to give Kentucky basketball the No. 7 class according to 247Sports’ Team Rankings.

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