Last Updated on April 16, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here’s information about Kermit Washington:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Kermit Alan Washington
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born on September 17, 1951
  • Hometown: Washington, D.C., USA
  • Height: 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
  • Weight: 230 lb (104 kg)
  • Wingspan: 7 feet 0 inches (2.13 m)
  • Number: Wore #24 and #7 during his career
  • Position: Power forward
  • High School: Coolidge High School (Washington, D.C.)
  • College: American University (1969–1973), where he was a standout player, averaging 20 points and 20 rebounds per game his senior year.
  • NBA Draft: 1973, 1st round, 5th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers
  • NBA Teams Played For:
    1. Los Angeles Lakers (1973–1977)
    2. Boston Celtics (1977–1978)
    3. San Diego Clippers (1978–1979)
    4. Portland Trail Blazers (1979–1982)
    5. Golden State Warriors (1987)
  • Kids: Washington has two children, a son and a daughter.
  • Siblings: Public information regarding his siblings is limited.

Player Archetype / Play Style

Kermit Washington’s player archetype was that of a bruising defensive big, a power forward/center type who built his value on rebounding, interior toughness, and physical half-court defense more than scoring polish. At 6-foot-8 and 230 pounds, he had a strong, compact frontcourt frame and played with the kind of power and balance that let him battle bigger interiors, carve out space on the glass, and hold his own in contact-heavy possessions. Defensively, his best work came as an interior enforcer and rebounder, and that impact was reflected in his two NBA All-Defensive Second Team selections in 1980 and 1981. Offensively, he was more functional than expansive, doing most of his work around the lane as a finisher, screen setter, put-back threat, and occasional mid-range contributor rather than as a featured creator. His play style was rugged, direct, and workmanlike, making him the sort of frontcourt presence who helped teams with effort, strength, and dependable paint play. (NBA)

Notes:

  • Washington became involved in various humanitarian efforts, especially in Africa, focusing on providing medical care through his charity, Project Contact Africa. However, in 2017, he was involved in a legal issue related to embezzlement and fraud, which overshadowed his post-basketball contributions.

Fun Facts

  • He was an All-Star: 1979 NBA All-Star with the Portland Trail Blazers
  • He was known for his toughness, rebounding, and defensive skills.
  • Unfortunately, he is most widely remembered for the infamous 1977 on-court altercation in which he punched Rudy Tomjanovich, causing severe injuries.
  • He was sentenced to six years in prison without parole for running a charity fraud scheme where he allegedly spent the money donors had given on himself and his girlfriend.

Sources:
NBA.com — Kermit Washington | Forward | Los Angeles Lakers
Basketball Reference — Kermit Washington Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status, and more
NBA.com — Kermit Washington – Los Angeles Lakers Alumni
NBA.com — Year-by-year NBA All-Defensive Teams