Kyle Washington Talks Prep School And High Major Offers

Washington helped lead the Red Knights to a 23-5 mark, losing to Waconia 62-60 in the Section 6AAA finals. He averaged 8.8 points per game with a season-best 21 points versus Holy Family Catholic in the first round of the Section 6AAA playoffs.

Washington comes from a basketball family. His father, Curtis, played at St. Thomas Aquinas in New York. He was named All-Met Division II Player of the Year in 1986.

Washington averaged 5.5 points per game as a sophomore for the Red Knights, who finished 24-6. They lost in the state tournament quarterfinals to Grand Rapids 70-61. Washington scored in double figures twice in 16 games.

Washington played for the Howard Pulley program this spring and summer and will be part of the team again next year.

Washington has received offers from schools such as Baylor, Florida, Louisville, Washington, Notre Dame, Central Michigan, Minnesota, Miami, West Virginia, Drake, Iowa State, Marquette, Penn State, Wisconsin, and Xavier.

GopherHole.com caught up with Washington Saturday evening to learn the latest on his recruitment.

Gopher Hole: How do you like school at Hotchkiss?

Kyle Washington: I like it a lot. It was a great decision for me to move. It gives me two years to get ready for college, so I don’t have to redshirt or anything so I can make an impact right away. The school is really rigorous academically, so it is challenging.

Gopher Hole: When do you have your first game?

Kyle Washington: We start our first game December 3rd (next Saturday).

Gopher Hole: You have a lot of Division I players on the roster. What are the expectations?

Kyle Washington: We have a lot of talent. It is going to be a tough year, but we have a lot of talent. We have Austin Colbert. From five to eight, it is really tough.

Gopher Hole: What things have you really been working on to continue to improve yourself as a player?

Kyle Washington: Just dominating the box. Dominating the elbows and making sure that I have that figured out all the way. Going out to the perimeter and working on my three-point shot. The freedom to shoot that shot consistently.

Gopher Hole: It looks like you got a little bigger since this summer?

Kyle Washington: Oh, yes. I weight about 205 now. They have working a lot on my legs. I have been working the upper body, too. I was 198 pounds before and I got a little taller, too. I’m around 6-9 or 6-10.

Gopher Hole: I know that you picked up quite a few offers. Are you a little surprised at how many offers you have got since you got that extra year?

Kyle Washington: It is always surprising. I am always happy to be there. I knew that if I kept on putting in this work and this position that I was put into, that I always knew that I was going to get there. You have to believe it all the time

Gopher Hole: How many offers are you up to? Do you even know anymore?

Kyle Washington: I don’t even know at this point, but I think that it is a lot

Gopher Hole: What are some of the ones that you are most interested in among the schools that have offered you?

Kyle Washington: I didn’t really give anyone a plateau. I am not really looking at anyone like that yet. I am just going to keep on exploring and keep on visiting.

Gopher Hole: You are planning on playing for Pulley again next year, right?

Kyle Washington: Oh, for sure. Rene (Pulley) put me on everything, so I am stay with him until the end.

Gopher Hole: Are you still hearing a lot from Minnesota?

Kyle Washington: I am still hearing a lot from them. I am still getting a lot of mail and still talking to Coach Smith. I just have to take my visits and see what’s good

Gopher Hole: Would you like to play close to home or does that matter as much now that you at Hotchkiss?

Kyle Washington: It doesn’t really matter, but it would be nice. It would be a nice aspect of it.

Gopher Hole: Have you had a chance to go to any college games?