Kentucky Wildcats signee and five-star prospect P.J. Washington is considered the top power forward in the 2017 class by Scout. Depending on how the upcoming college basketball season goes for him, and how the power forward class looks as the 2018 NBA Draft draws closer, he could be a “one-and-done.”
With tonight the premiere of the John Calipari ESPN Films 30 for 30 entitled “One and Not Done,” today seems like the perfect time to initially publish our exclusive interview with P.J. Washington, one that we conducted at McDonald’s All-American Game Media Day.
(“One and Not Done” review at this link, exclusive with the director, Jonathan Hock at this link, preview info and video trailer at this link)
https://soundcloud.com/p-m-banks/pj-washington-exclusive
We asked Washington, who’s measured at 6-8, 229 pounds, and rated as high as No. 14 overall in the rankings by Scout, why Coach Cal is such a polarizing figure.
“People underestimate him because they feel like he’s just throwing people into the league,” he responded. “But it’s not like that. It’s a family oriented thing.”
Naturally we followed up by asking why Kentucky basketball, the program itself, elicits such extremely strong emotions in people.
BBN IT'S OFFICIAL ?? pic.twitter.com/ieucqisKEv
— PJ Washington (@PJWashington) November 11, 2016
“They feel like it’s a program that’s all about one-and-done, but they underestimate our will to win every game,” Washington answered.
“And I feel that’s about it really, they think we’re just a one-and-done school.”
247Sports and ESPN have him at No. 16 and Rivals tabs him No. 17. Of course one-and-done is obviously not “a Kentucky thing.” It’s a NBA rule, and it was created by NBA owners in order to protect their own interests.
Yet, the label seems to have been affixed to Calipari and Kentucky, even though everyone who can do it these days, is doing it.
I asked Washington why he thinks the practice, and hence the brand has become synonymous with Kentucky.
“Cuz we got so many one-and-dones and all the players that we put in the league are really doing well right now,” he answered.
“It’s a hot school and everyone wants to go, but it’s not for everybody.”
Washington was a member of the 2016 USA Men’s U18 National Team that won a gold medal at the 2016 FIBA Americas U18 Championship over the summer. He started all five games and averaged 10.0 points and 4.0 rebounds.
https://soundcloud.com/p-m-banks/jonathan-hock-one-and-not-done-director-exclusive
Multiple players from each signing class have been tabbed McDonald’s All-Americans during the Calipari era, including five in the 2013 class. Kentucky has signed 60 McDonald’s All-Americans since the team began in 1977.
P.J. Washington is very excited about viewing the Calipari documentary tonight:
“Can’t wait to watch it, it’s going to be great. My dad’s going to record it and my whole family, we’re going to watch it so that will be nice.”
Kentucky has the #1 nationally rated class in the USA Today composite rankings, and the #1 spot in Scout, 24/7, ESPN and Rivals as well.
Kentucky Wildcats in the McDAAG Feature Story Links
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times and NBC Chicago.com, contributes to Chicago Tribune.com, Bold, WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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