P.J. Washington Bio
Paul Jamaine Washington Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats. After being selected by the Charlotte Hornets in the first round of the 2019 NBA draft with the 12th overall pick, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2020. Washington was traded to the Mavericks at the trade deadline in February 2024, helping the team reach the 2024 NBA Finals.
Early Life and Background
Paul Jamaine Washington Jr. was born on August 23, 1998, in Louisville, Kentucky. His family moved to St. Louis and Chicago before settling in Frisco, Texas. Washington attended Prime Prep Academy in Dallas after a brief stint at Lone Star High School in Frisco. He later transferred to Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nevada, where he joined fellow five-star recruits Allonzo Trier and Derryck Thornton. As a junior, he averaged 16.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. After his junior season, Washington played for his AAU team, Team Penny, sponsored by former NBA All-Star Penny Hardaway, on the Nike EYBL circuit. As a senior, he averaged 19.6 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game, earning selections to both the 2017 Jordan Brand Classic and McDonald’s All-American Game.
Path to Basketball
Washington was rated as a five-star recruit and ranked as the No. 12 overall recruit and No. 3 power forward in the 2017 high school class by Scout.com, Rivals.com, and ESPN. He committed to the University of Kentucky on November 10, 2016, signing his letter of intent shortly after. Throughout most of his freshman season at Kentucky, Washington played through a pinkie injury that required surgery in the summer. In the NCAA Tournament loss to Kansas State, he led Kentucky with 18 points and 15 rebounds. Washington averaged 10.8 points and 5.7 rebounds per game as a freshman. After the season, he declared for the NBA draft but announced his return on May 30, 2018. Following Kentucky’s loss to Auburn in the 2019 NCAA men’s basketball tournament, Washington announced his intention to forgo his final two seasons of collegiate eligibility and declare for the 2019 NBA draft, where he was projected to be a first-round selection.
P.J. Washington Career
Early Career (2019–2024)
Washington was selected as the 12th overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2019 NBA draft. On July 3, 2019, he officially signed with the Hornets, and on October 23, he made his NBA debut, starting in a 126–125 win over the Chicago Bulls with 27 points, 4 rebounds, an assist, a steal, and a block. He made 7 three-pointers, the most in an NBA debut in history. On October 31, he scored 23 points and 8 rebounds in a win over the Sacramento Kings. On November 29, Washington put up 26 points and 5 rebounds in a victory against the Detroit Pistons. On September 15, 2020, he was named to the 2019–20 NBA All-Rookie Second Team. On February 28, 2021, he scored a career-high 42 points to help the Charlotte Hornets win over the Sacramento Kings. On March 28, 2023, he scored a career-high 43 points in a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Breakthrough (2024–Present)
On February 8, 2024, Washington was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Seth Curry, Grant Williams, and a 2027 first-round pick. He made his Mavericks debut on February 10, putting up 14 points, five rebounds, and one steal in a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. On April 5, Washington scored 32 points alongside a game-winner in a victory against the Golden State Warriors. He played a crucial role in the playoffs, leading the Mavericks with 27 points in a Western Conference Semifinals win against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Washington helped the Mavericks reach the 2024 NBA Finals, where they lost to the Boston Celtics in five games. On September 10, 2025, he signed a four-year, $88.76 million extension with the Mavericks that runs through the 2029–30 season.
Notable Works and Milestones
Washington’s signature work includes his historic NBA debut, where he set a record for the most three-pointers made. He has received several accolades, including being named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team and achieving career-high scoring games.
P.J. Washington Award Nominations
Throughout his career, P.J. Washington has received notable nominations, including the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2020.
P.J. Washington Awards Won
P.J. Washington has achieved significant milestones in his career, including being named a Third-team All-American and earning First-team All-SEC honors in 2019.
P.J. Washington Family
Paul Jamaine Washington Jr. is married to Alisah Chanel, with whom he has two sons: Paul Jermaine Washington III, born in 2021, and Preston, born in 2023. Washington’s parents met while playing basketball at Middle Tennessee State, where his father later became a General Manager at a car sales company and coached his middle school team, while his mother became a teacher.
Personal Life
P.J. Washington maintains a relatively private personal life. He has a brother, Spencer, and a sister, Alexandria. Washington’s family background in sports has influenced his career path, and he continues to be a prominent figure in professional basketball.
