Last Updated on July 20, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Kermit Washington was a powerful forward whose rebounding, interior defense, and physical presence made him one of the NBA’s toughest frontcourt players during the 1970s. Although his career is often remembered for one infamous on-court incident, he was also a highly productive player whose strength, consistency, and defensive impact earned him All-Star recognition.

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)

Scouting Report

Kermit Washington was far more than a physical interior presence, although that’s usually where the conversation begins. To me, the defining trait of his game was how much space he erased around the basket simply by arriving early. He understood where drives were headed, met ball handlers before they reached the restricted area, and forced offenses into awkward floaters or rushed kick-outs instead of clean finishes. He wasn’t chasing spectacular blocks nearly as often as he was closing angles and holding his ground. Offensively, Washington operated best within the flow of the paint, carving out deep post position with powerful seals, finishing over either shoulder with a reliable turnaround or jump hook, and creating extra possessions through offensive rebounds that came from leverage rather than pure reach. The interesting thing is that he rarely looked hurried once he established position. If the double team came late, he’d patiently wait for it before moving the ball to an open teammate instead of forcing a contested attempt, though he wasn’t the type of passing hub an offense would consistently run through. The trade-off was that his scoring radius stayed compact, allowing defenses to crowd the lane, and quicker lineups could pull him away from his comfort zone when repeated switches became part of the game plan. Even so, his value grew alongside guards who attacked the paint because they knew there was someone cleaning up missed finishes and controlling the interior at the other end. I’ve always thought his game resembled a blend of Caldwell Jones and Tree Rollins—not because they played identically, but because each understood that owning the paint starts with positioning, timing and strength long before the ball ever reaches the rim.

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