Ohio State 2018-2020 SG - Duane Washington Jr. ('21 All-B1G Third Team)

Duane Washington Jr.
Point Guard | Indiana Pacers
After reaching double figures in scoring just four times in 11 games in February, Washington has picked up his production over the past week, scoring at least 10 points in each of his last three games. It hasn’t all been easy recently for Washington though, as the rookie was just 1-of-9 from the field in last Wednesday’s overtime victory over Orlando. Ironically, Washington’s worst game of the past week was the only one that the Pacers have won.

Following the ugly shooting performance against the Magic, Washington has actually picked things up over the past three games, shooting 15-of-23 from the field, and 9-of-16 from behind the arc. The three consecutive games reaching double figures in scoring marked the first time in the last month that Washington has scored at least 10 points in three consecutive games.

What has helped Washington recently has been a little bit more consistent playing time. Last month, there was a six-game stretch in which Washington played more than 15 minutes just once. Currently, Washington has hit that mark in each of the last five games. Coincidentally, Washington has 56 points during those five games, while last month he had 17 total points in the six-game stretch where he only played more than 15 minutes once. The more time Washington spends on the court, the more comfortable he is with his shot. The struggles hit hard when Washington is relegated to the bench for long stretches.

 

Duane Washington Jr. is averaging 16.6 PPG on 60% shooting over the last five games 👀 pic.twitter.com/NueazepJDf

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) March 14, 2022

 

How, Duane?? pic.twitter.com/7GI4KtgxnZ

— NBA (@NBA) March 16, 2022

 

.@dwizthekid4 stays hot 🔥 pic.twitter.com/niOdKoLaD5

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) March 23, 2022

 

The Indiana Pacers are converting two-way guards Duane Washington and Terry Taylor to standard, multi-year NBA contracts, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 6, 2022

 

Former Ohio State guard Duane Washington Jr. waived by Indiana Pacers https://t.co/TMEoBDdzzn

— BuckeyeXtra.com (@BuckeyeXtra) July 15, 2022

 

Duane Washington signs a two-way contract with the Phoenix Suns after being waived by the Indiana Pacers in July. https://t.co/4RrSMR81Pq

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) August 3, 2022

 

Duane Washington Jr. BALLED out for the @Suns!

☀ 31 PTS (10-19 FGM)
☀ 4 AST
☀ 3 STL pic.twitter.com/0UrnUOrnvH

— NBA (@NBA) October 13, 2022

 

Duane Washington Jr. is feelin' it right now 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ZEmNyH6zjQ

— NBA TV (@NBATV) November 15, 2022

 

Duane Washington Jr. caught fire in Q2, scoring 13 points 🔥

At half: 16 PTS | 2 AST | 75% FG | 4 3PM | 19 FPTS#WeAreTheValley pic.twitter.com/GBxCBjdjPz

— NBA Fantasy (@NBAFantasy) November 15, 2022

 

Duane Washington Jr. led all scorers tonight with 25 points in 25 minutes!
pic.twitter.com/TwE8h4Uu3V

— The Ohio State Hoops Insider (@OSUHoopsInsider) January 9, 2023

 

The Phoenix Suns are signing guard Saben Lee to a two-way NBA deal and waiving Duane Washington Jr., sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Lee earns deal with Suns after strong stint on 10-days. Washington has scoring ability, averaging 8 points in 13 minutes per game this season.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 1, 2023

 

The Phoenix Suns waive former Ohio State guard Duane Washington Jr. after 31 appearances with the franchise. https://t.co/Sba6eRdkpm

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) February 2, 2023

 

DUANE WASHINGTON JR.

• Team: N/A
• Year: Two
• Stats: 7.9 PPG, 36.7 FG%, 36 3FG%, 2 APG

After going undrafted in 2021, Washington was something of a surprise success story with the Indiana Pacers as a rookie, averaging 9.9 points in 20.2 minutes per game in 48 appearances during his first season. Despite earning a multi-year contract as a result, Washington was cut by the Pacers in July. Washington then signed a two-way deal with the Phoenix Suns, but played just 31 games before being waived at the start of February. Now the former All-Big Ten guard is looking for a new home in the NBA, which would be his third landing spot in his first two seasons.

 

G DUANE WASHINGTON JR.

• Team: Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks (G League: Westchester Knicks)
• Year: Two
• Stats: 7.9 PPG, 36.7 FG%, 36.3FG%, 2 APG
• Postseason: Knicks lost in conference semifinals (4-2, Heat)

After scoring 9.9 points per game as an undrafted rookie with the Indiana Pacers, Washington didn’t have quite as much success with the Phoenix Suns to start year two. In 31 games, Washington averaged only two fewer points per game in nearly eight fewer minutes than he did in 2021-22, but saw his shooting percentages dip across the board.

By the start of February, Washington was waived for the second time in seven months. Washington signed a two-way contract with the Knicks on Feb. 28, but never appeared in a game for New York in 2022-23. In four games with New York’s G League affiliate team, the Westchester Knicks, Washington averaged 20.8 points and 3.5 assists in 28.8 minutes per game, shooting 42.4% from the field and 36.8% from 3-point range.

 

Duane Washington Jr. has signed a two-way contract with the New York Knicks!! https://t.co/t4VY1YDi7R

— The Ohio State Hoops Insider (@OSUHoopsInsider) January 3, 2024

 

Duane Washington Jr. (@dwizjr) has been destroying the G-League.

His last three games he has dropped:
▫️26 points, 7 rebounds, 4assists
▫️40 points
▫️31 points, 2 assists #BuckeyePro
pic.twitter.com/ppRDdrRuc8

— The Ohio State Hoops Insider (@OSUHoopsInsider) March 28, 2024

 

"Duane Washington Jr 2022-2023 Suns highlights! SG from Ohio State (Current Knicks 2-Way Player)" https://t.co/Op7MP5Tgyd via @YouTube #Buckeyes

— Buckeye Ballers (@BuckeyeBallers) April 9, 2024