TyTy Washington worked out for the Knicks... or "Kentucky 2.0"

TyTy Washington is one of two former Kentucky Wildcats who elected to enter and remain in this summer’s NBA Draft talent pool. A potential lottery pick, Washington is currently traveling around the country for pre-draft workouts and interviews with prospective employers.

Most recently, Washington was in New York for a Monday audition with the Knicks. He was one of six draft prospects who participated in 3-on-3 workouts at the Knicks’ facility in Tarrytown, along with Josh Minott (Memphis), Malaki Branham (Ohio State) and Dyson Daniels (G League Ignite).

The night before, the group was treated to a limitless dinner with William ‘World Wide Wes’ Wesley, the Executive VP of the Knicks and a longtime friend of John Calipari. Washington said of the Sunday night out with Wes, “He ordered everything, pretty much. Made us all taste it.”

Sounds about right.

As for Washington’s thoughts of New York as a landing spot, he recognizes Kentucky’s strong connection to the Knicks since Wesley and Leon Rose took over the front office in 2020. Since their regime began, the Knicks have signed several former Kentucky stars, including current players Julius Randle, Immanuel Quickley, and Nerlens Noel. Derrick Rose and Obi Toppin are also current Knicks with ties to Kentucky Basketball.

Then there is former assistant coach Kenny Payne who left the Knicks bench to become the head coach at Louisville in March.

Washington said, “When Kenny Payne was here, seeing all the Kentucky guys over there, me and my teammates in the locker room were like, that’s Kentucky 2.0 there.”

He added, “It’s really good to see how a lot of guys who were under Cal all end up on the same team. It’s pretty much like Cal told all of us, the way to last in the next level is you gotta learn how to fight. I feel like every guy he’s coached that’s still in the league to this day, is in there because they’re really talented and they know how to fight.”

"Me and my teammates in the locker room were like, 'that's Kentucky 2.0 up there.'"

TyTy Washington on the connections between Kentucky and the Knicks: pic.twitter.com/TimfzYiG0m

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) June 6, 2022

New York holds the No. 11 pick in the draft.

Washington workout tracker

In addition to his workout in the Big Apple, TyTy Washington reportedly worked out for the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday before catching a direct flight from Hartsfield-Jackson to his dinner with World Wide Wes. He has already been through Oklahoma City too.

Washington has scheduled visits with New Orleans, Cleveland, Washington, and San Antonio ahead, he told Knicks reporter Ian Begley.