CHAPEL HILL, N.C. –– After two years of playing behind Armando Bacot, Jalen Washington is finally emerging as a force for North Carolina.
On Saturday versus the Wolfpack, Washington played his best game making an emphatic dunk with 24 seconds remaining, giving the Tar Heels a two-point lead. His game-sealing block epitomized the Wolfpack’s offensive collapse. Washington finished with 11 points and 12 boards, his first career double-double.
Every opportunity they tried to equalize, Washington was there. His patient development stands in stark contrast to college basketball’s transfer portal era.
The transfer portal is often the immediate solution to shortcomings, however, Washington is the perfect example of a player who is entirely committed to the process.
“I told my dad I just really wanted to play together and this game I felt like was the first time I’ve done that all season,” Washington told reporters on Saturday.
After totaling just one blocked shot as a freshman and 21 his sophomore year, Washington is averaging 1.2 blocks a game and already has 21 on the season.
Despite having somewhat of a timid personality, Washington’s presence is felt on the court and he doesn’t shy away from making the big-time plays. Even when he might be facing an opponent with more size, physicality and experience, Washington is ready for the challenge.
In an uncharacteristic display, he flashed a downwards Wolfpack symbol in front of the opposing bench at the end of the game. He later downplayed the incident—a departure from his usual professional demeanor.
“He’s playing with the confidence and assurance that we need,” head coach Hubert Davis said. “I love J Wash and I’m really happy for him. He’s been waiting for his time to come and it’s here now.”
Washington’s performance on Saturday was the product of two and half years of development, countless hours in the gym and one-on-one sessions with assistant coaches. The breakthrough has only fueled his appetite for more.
“That game definitely boosted my confidence moving forward, having seen that I made an impact for us to win,” Washington told reporters. “I want to be able to keep building on this and build momentum for the team.”
Washington’s emergence gives the Tar Heels a new dimension—and serves as a reminder that player development, while not always immediate, can produce the results worth waiting for.
Slow and Steady: Jalen Washington Has Found His Groove at Carolina