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Jersey Number 33
Chris Washington Jr.
- Position:
- Forward
- Height:
- 6-9
- Weight:
- 200
- Class:
- Freshman
- Hometown:
- Gainesville, Fla.
- High School:
- Providence Christian Academy (Tenn.)
University of Tennessee head men's basketball coach Rick Barnes announced April 16, 2026, the signing of Chris Washington Jr.
A consensus four-star, top-50 prospect in the class of 2026 at the time of his signing, Washington was unanimously regarded as the premier player in the state of Tennessee.
"We are happy to add Chris to a high school class that we are really enthused about. Chris is a truly special athlete and, without a doubt, one of the finest in the country at the prep level," Barnes said. "He is particularly impactful in transition and leaping off one foot. He can also stretch the floor and knock down 3-point shots, as well as grab offensive rebounds. At the defensive end, Chris has all the tools to become elite and is someone who can guard four positions. We always prioritize keeping talented players in-state and feel Chris will fit in well here on Rocky Top."
Washington is a 6-foot-9, 200-pound forward from Gainesville, Fla., but he attended Providence Christian Academy in Murfreesboro, Tenn. He was listed as the No. 33 player in the country at the time of his signing by Rivals, which ranked him No. 11 among small forwards.
Both the 247Sports Composite (No. 43) and the Rivals Industry Ranking (No. 49) put Washington top-50 nationally and top-20 at the small forward spot. Both considered him the best recruit from a Volunteer State high school since 2022.
Washington was one of just 25 players in the country selected to play in the prestigious Iverson Roundball Classic, slated for May 2 in Hampton, Va. He was also a McDonald's All-American Game nominee.
As a junior in 2024-25, Washington was named a TSWA Division II-A All-State honoree, one of just three non-seniors among the 12 selections. He was named the MVP of the state tournament after leading Providence Christian Academy to its first TSSAA title ever. He tallied 17 points, a game-high seven rebounds and a game-best three blocks in a 78-68 victory over Battle Ground Academy to finish off a 30-2 campaign.
This season, Washington helped his team repeat as the TSSAA Division II-A state champion and again won tournament MVP. He put up a 13-point, 15-rebound double-double in a 60-48 triumph over Battle Ground Academy in the final, completing a 29-6 season.
Washington, who averaged 18.8 points and 9.4 rebounds per game as a senior, collected 2026 Division II-A Mr. Basketball accolades, becoming the first student at his school ever to win the honor in any sport. He was also named to the Murfreesboro Daily News Journal All-Area Team.
Before transferring to Providence Christian Academy, Washington attended The Villages Charter School in The Villages, Fla. There, he was a 2023 Source Hoops 4A Second Team All-State Tournament pick after helping his team reach the title game after a freshman year in which he put up 10.7 points per game.
Across his four-year high school career, Washington amassed over 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. On the AAU circuit, Washington competed with B. Maze Elite, a Knoxville-based program run by former Tennessee guard Bobby Maze (2008-10).
Washington committed to the Volunteers over Auburn, Ole Miss, Villanova and Southern Cal, after previously considering schools such as Alabama, Cincinnati, Oklahoma State and Oregon, among others.
Tennessee has eight prior letter winners from Florida, including 1965-66 Helms First Team All-America selection Austin "Red" Robbins (Groveland), two-time (1987-88, 1988-89) First Team All-SEC honoree Dyron Nix (Fort Walton Beach) and a member of Barnes' first team (2015-16) at Tennessee, Derek Reese (Orlando).
A consensus four-star, top-50 prospect in the class of 2026 at the time of his signing, Washington was unanimously regarded as the premier player in the state of Tennessee.
"We are happy to add Chris to a high school class that we are really enthused about. Chris is a truly special athlete and, without a doubt, one of the finest in the country at the prep level," Barnes said. "He is particularly impactful in transition and leaping off one foot. He can also stretch the floor and knock down 3-point shots, as well as grab offensive rebounds. At the defensive end, Chris has all the tools to become elite and is someone who can guard four positions. We always prioritize keeping talented players in-state and feel Chris will fit in well here on Rocky Top."
Washington is a 6-foot-9, 200-pound forward from Gainesville, Fla., but he attended Providence Christian Academy in Murfreesboro, Tenn. He was listed as the No. 33 player in the country at the time of his signing by Rivals, which ranked him No. 11 among small forwards.
Both the 247Sports Composite (No. 43) and the Rivals Industry Ranking (No. 49) put Washington top-50 nationally and top-20 at the small forward spot. Both considered him the best recruit from a Volunteer State high school since 2022.
Washington was one of just 25 players in the country selected to play in the prestigious Iverson Roundball Classic, slated for May 2 in Hampton, Va. He was also a McDonald's All-American Game nominee.
As a junior in 2024-25, Washington was named a TSWA Division II-A All-State honoree, one of just three non-seniors among the 12 selections. He was named the MVP of the state tournament after leading Providence Christian Academy to its first TSSAA title ever. He tallied 17 points, a game-high seven rebounds and a game-best three blocks in a 78-68 victory over Battle Ground Academy to finish off a 30-2 campaign.
This season, Washington helped his team repeat as the TSSAA Division II-A state champion and again won tournament MVP. He put up a 13-point, 15-rebound double-double in a 60-48 triumph over Battle Ground Academy in the final, completing a 29-6 season.
Washington, who averaged 18.8 points and 9.4 rebounds per game as a senior, collected 2026 Division II-A Mr. Basketball accolades, becoming the first student at his school ever to win the honor in any sport. He was also named to the Murfreesboro Daily News Journal All-Area Team.
Before transferring to Providence Christian Academy, Washington attended The Villages Charter School in The Villages, Fla. There, he was a 2023 Source Hoops 4A Second Team All-State Tournament pick after helping his team reach the title game after a freshman year in which he put up 10.7 points per game.
Across his four-year high school career, Washington amassed over 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. On the AAU circuit, Washington competed with B. Maze Elite, a Knoxville-based program run by former Tennessee guard Bobby Maze (2008-10).
Washington committed to the Volunteers over Auburn, Ole Miss, Villanova and Southern Cal, after previously considering schools such as Alabama, Cincinnati, Oklahoma State and Oregon, among others.
Tennessee has eight prior letter winners from Florida, including 1965-66 Helms First Team All-America selection Austin "Red" Robbins (Groveland), two-time (1987-88, 1988-89) First Team All-SEC honoree Dyron Nix (Fort Walton Beach) and a member of Barnes' first team (2015-16) at Tennessee, Derek Reese (Orlando).
MBB | Rick Barnes Media Availability (4.23.26)
Thursday, April 23
MBB | DeWayne Brown II Media Availability (4.23.26)
Thursday, April 23
MBB | Earl Grant Media Availability (4.23.26)
Thursday, April 23
MBB | Rick Barnes, Ja'Kobi Gillespie, Grant Hurst & Felix Okpara Postgame vs. Michigan (3.29.26)
Sunday, March 29
