Chris Washington Jr., a 6‑foot‑9 forward from the 2026 class, announced his commitment to the University of Tennessee after a recruitment process that stretched across several months.
A Knoxville Connection
The recruit grew up training with the B. Maze Elite AAU program, a local circuit that gave him deep roots in the Knoxville basketball community.
At Providence Christian Academy he captured back‑to‑back TSSAA Division II‑A state titles and earned MVP honors, finishing his senior season with averages of 18.8 points and 9.4 rebounds.
Why Tennessee?
Coach Rick Barnes praised Washington as one of the finest prep‑level talents he has seen, noting the player’s versatility on both ends of the floor. Barnes also highlighted Tennessee’s recent track record of sending prospects to the NBA, a factor that helped seal the deal.
Washington chose the Vols over a slate of suitors that included Auburn, Ole Miss, Southern California and Villanova, cementing his place as the top in‑state recruit of his class.
Beyond the numbers, the forward emphasized his focus on defense and his willingness to practice at power forward, aiming to contribute immediately in multiple facets of the game.
The commitment marks another milestone in a recruiting class that already features other highly touted prospects, and it underscores the program’s growing appeal among elite talent.