Last Updated on April 19, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Paul Jamaine Washington Jr.
  • Nickname: PJ
  • Nationality: American
  • Date of Birth: August 23, 1998
  • Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky, USA
  • Height: 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
  • Weight: 230 lbs (104 kg)
  • Wingspan: 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m)
  • Shoe Size: US 15
  • Jersey Number:
    • #25 — Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball
    • #25 — Charlotte Hornets
    • #25 — Dallas Mavericks
  • Position: Power Forward / Small-Ball Center
  • High School: Findlay Prep (Nevada)
  • College: Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball
  • NBA Draft:
    • 2019 / Round 1 / Pick 12
    • Selected by: Charlotte Hornets
  • Player Archetype: Stretch Combo Forward (Modern Two-Way 4)
  • Primary Offensive Role: Floor-spacing secondary scorer; pick-and-pop threat; short-roll finisher
  • Defensive Role: Switchable forward defender; small-ball rim helper; versatile matchup piece
  • Play Style: Face-up oriented forward who blends perimeter shooting with interior finishing; thrives in space and transition; capable of attacking closeouts and playing within flow offenses
  • Handedness / Shooting Hand: Right-handed
  • Athletic Profile: Strong, compact frame; good lateral mobility for size; solid vertical pop rather than elite explosiveness
  • Recruiting Status:
    • 5-star recruit (consensus top-15 nationally in 2017 class)
  • Draft Status Detail:
    • Lottery pick valued for positional versatility, shooting development, and defensive switchability coming out of Kentucky
  • Injury Status Category: Durable — generally available with no recurring major injuries; occasional minor absences
  • Career Stage: Prime (established starter entering peak years)
  • Comparison Style: Modern hybrid forward who toggles between stretch-4 offense and switch-heavy defense
  • Comparable Players:
    • Rashard Lewis — floor-spacing forward scoring profile
    • Tobias Harris — combo forward scoring versatility
    • Jerami Grant — two-way forward with slashing and shooting blend
  • Teams Played For:
    • Charlotte Hornets (2019–2024)
    • Dallas Mavericks (2024–Present)
  • Championship Rings: 0
  • Parents:
    • Father: Paul Washington Sr. (former basketball player)
    • Mother: Sherry Washington
  • Children: 1 (son, with Brittany Renner)
  • Siblings: Not widely documented
  • Athlete Relatives: Father played collegiate basketball

As a player archetype, PJ Washington fits the mold of a modern stretch combo forward, operating as a versatile two-way 4 who can space the floor offensively while holding his own across multiple defensive assignments. He typically functions as a secondary scorer—most effective in pick-and-pop actions, spot-up situations, and attacking rotating defenses—rather than as a primary creator, which keeps his offensive game efficient and scalable alongside ball-dominant stars. Defensively, he brings real utility through switchability, using his strong frame and length to guard wings and bigger forwards while also offering help-side rim protection in small-ball lineups. Physically, Washington combines a sturdy 6’7” build with a long wingspan and enough lateral mobility to stay playable in modern schemes that demand versatility. His overall play style leans toward adaptability: he doesn’t need high usage to impact the game, instead contributing through spacing, positional defense, and timely scoring within structured offenses.

Sources
Basketball Reference — P.J. Washington Stats
NBA.com — P.J. Washington Player Profile
ESPN — P.J. Washington Bio