DAYTON, Ohio — The Chaminade Julienne Eagles are back in the state final four for the second time in three years. But an OHSAA tournament run like this is a brand new experience for the player making the most buckets for the blue and green this year.
What You Need To Know
- Chaminade Julienne is in the Final Four for the second time in three seasons
- A big part of this year’s success is senior transfer student George Washington III
- Washington and his family moved to Dayton after his dad took a job with the University of Dayton’s women’s basketball team
- Washington says it’ll be a surreal feeling playing on the court where his dad coaches
George Washington III is ending his high school playing career right here in Dayton, thanks to his dad.
“He got hired at University of Dayton for Women’s basketball,” Washington said.
When the Washingtons were looking for a school for their three boys to attend and play basketball at, Chaminade Julienne won out. Coach Charlie Szabo couldn’t be happier.
Coach Charlie Szabo makes sure his team is on track during practice ahead of the state final four (Spectrum News/Katie Kapusta)
“They have jumped in feet first, his whole family into this community,” Szabo said. “I would hear stories in the fall of there being three students at a soccer game, only three students, and they were the Washington brothers. So they have bought in totally.”
George, along with his two younger brothers, BB, a junior and JJ, a freshman, have now had the chance to all be in the CJ basketball program together, something George says has made this year extra special and an easier transition.
JJ Washington participates in practice alongside his brothers (Spectrum News/Katie Kapusta)
“It just adds to how special this year’s been already,” George said. “I’ve mentioned how this team’s been like a family, having actual family on the team makes it even more so.”
Now Washington is gearing up for his final few games as an Eagle- and for what’s coming. The 4-star guard originally committed to play at Ohio State but has since changed his mind.
“It kind of becomes apparent that it might not be the best place for me,” he said. “So I decided to rethink my recruiting process and go through with it again. Funny enough, it wasn’t even planned, but Michigan just felt like the right place from the start.”
The Washington brothers aren’t the only ones playing on the court where their dad coaches- Anthony Grant, the head coach for the Flyers men’s basketball team, has a son, Makai, on the team as well. For Makai and George, playing where their dad’s coach will make the moment even sweeter.
“Playing with my dad and him kind of been a coach for me all these years and finally getting to play on the same court with him, it’s going to be a very fun experience,” Makai said.
“I’ve been in there a lot,” George said. “Knowing that the state championship game was going to be there and the state final four was going to be there has made every time we’ve gone there a special experience. I’ve just been kind of looking around thinking I could be playing here in a couple of months, then a couple weeks, and now a couple days.”
