Last Updated on July 24, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

P.J. Washington has developed into a dependable forward who can contribute in a variety of ways, whether it’s scoring, rebounding, or defending multiple positions. His ability to stretch the floor with outside shooting while also handling physical play inside has made him a valuable piece in modern NBA lineups. As his career has progressed, he has earned a reputation for doing many of the small things that help teams win games.

Here’s detailed information about P.J. Washington:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Paul Jamaine Washington Jr.
  • Nickname: P.J.
  • Nationality: American
  • Date of Birth: August 23, 1998
  • Hometown: Dallas, Texas
  • Height: 6’7″ (2.01 m)
  • Weight: 230 lb (104 kg)
  • Wingspan: 7’2.5″
  • Shoe Size: Not publicly confirmed in a reliable primary source
  • Jersey Number: 25 — Kentucky Wildcats; 25 — Charlotte Hornets; 25 — Dallas Mavericks
  • Position: Power forward / forward
  • High School: Prime Prep Academy (Dallas, Texas); Lone Star High School (Frisco, Texas); Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nevada)
  • College: Kentucky
  • NBA Draft: Charlotte Hornets, 2019, Round 1, Pick 12
  • Teams Played For: Charlotte Hornets (2019–2024); Dallas Mavericks (2024–present)
  • Championship Rings: 0
  • Parents: Sherry Washington; Paul Washington Sr.
  • Children: Paul Jermaine Washington III; Preston Julian Washington
  • Siblings: Spencer Washington; Alexandria Washington
  • Athlete Relatives: Father Paul Washington Sr. played basketball at Middle Tennessee State; mother Sherry Washington played basketball at Middle Tennessee State

Player Archetype / Play Style

P.J. Washington’s player archetype is that of a versatile modern combo forward: a sturdy, switchable frontcourt piece who can space the floor, punish smaller defenders, and fill gaps without needing the offense built around him. Defensively, he fits best as a multi-positional helper and matchup forward who can guard 4s, spend possessions on wings, and use his length to contest, rotate, and hold up in switches. Offensively, he operates as a floor-spacing scorer, secondary finisher, and opportunistic attacker who can hit spot-up threes, attack closeouts, post when the matchup tilts his way, and keep the ball moving rather than overdribbling. Physically, he brings a strong frame, long arms, and enough mobility to play with either smaller or bigger lineups. Put together, his style is practical and scalable: he is not a flashy creator, but he is the kind of two-way forward who supports stars, stretches defenses, and gives a team lineup flexibility on both ends.

Scouting Report

P.J. Washington is at his best when he’s allowed to flow between roles rather than being locked into one. Some possessions he’s spacing beyond the arc waiting for the defense to overhelp, the next he’s slipping a screen into open space or sealing a smaller defender before the help can arrive. That adaptability is what makes him difficult to scheme against. What stands out to me is how comfortable he is attacking rotating defenses with one or two purposeful dribbles instead of trying to beat people in isolation. He recognizes when the low man has stepped over, makes quick decisions from the short roll and has enough touch to finish before the rim protector can recover. Defensively, he brings real flexibility because he can switch onto wings for stretches, absorb contact against stronger forwards and rotate from the weak side without losing sight of shooters lifting to the perimeter. He isn’t the type of defender who constantly chases blocks, but he contests with good timing and generally understands when to stay home rather than overhelp. The trade-off is that he can disappear offensively if the ball sticks elsewhere, partly because he isn’t a natural shot creator who consistently generates clean looks against set defenses. His handle is solid but not dynamic enough to break pressure over multiple dribbles, so asking him to carry an offense takes away from the things he naturally does well. To me, his ideal fit is next to a primary initiator who bends the defense and a center capable of occupying the paint, allowing Washington to exploit gaps as a secondary scorer, connective passer and switchable frontcourt defender. I’ve always thought there are elements of Tobias Harris in the way he quietly accumulates offense without forcing possessions, while parts of his defensive role resemble Marvin Williams, particularly in how he comfortably shifts between frontcourt assignments depending on the matchup.

Fun Facts

  • He made an immediate impact in his rookie season, earning NBA All-Rookie Second Team (2020) honors.

Sources:

NBA.com — P.J. Washington | Forward | Dallas Mavericks
Kentucky Athletics — PJ Washington
247Sports — NBA Draft Combine Measurements
Bleacher Report — PJ Washington’s 2019 NBA Draft Scouting Report: Analysis of Hornets Pick
People — Who Is P.J. Washington’s Wife? All About Alisah Chanel