Michigan basketball signee George Washington III named Gatorade Player of the Year in Ohio
Michigan Wolverines basketball guard signee George Washington III has been named the Gatorade Ohio Boys Basketball Player of the Year for 2023, the first from his school, Dayton Chaminade Julienne Catholic, to earn the honor. The award recognizes both “athletic excellence” and “high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the court.”
Washington led his team to a 25-2 record and the Division II, Region 8 state title game against Rocky River (Ohio) Lutheran West, which will be held Friday (March 17) at University of Dayton.
The Michigan signee is averaging 24.1 points, 4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.2 steals per game, while shooting 47.3 percent from three-point range (61-of-129) through 26 games.
Washington was also named the Southwest District Division II Player of the Year.
“George’s stats are incredible, especially for the schedule his team played,” said Donnie Tate, head coach of Bellbrook (Ohio) High, whose team lost to Washington’s, 74-32, on Dec. 13. “Every game, he’s being face-guarded, guarded by the other team’s best defender and double-teamed. To shoot [47.3 percent] from the three-point line and score [24.1] points per game against those defenses on their schedule is incredible. He’s also stepped up in big moments of their biggest games.”
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A four-star recruit, Washington is the No. 111 overall player, 14th-best combo guard and fourth-best prospect in Ohio in the 2023 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.
According to a press release, the Michigan signee has a weighted 4.36 GPA. He’s also spent time volunteering through his church community, purchasing Christmas gifts for children in need among other acts.
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“I want to be someone that uses their platform to not only spread Christ’s name, but to also extend Christ’s care,” Washington recently told HisHuddle.com.
“Washington III joins recent Gatorade Ohio Boys Basketball Players of the Year Paul McMillan IV (2021-22, Woodward Career Technical High School), Chris Livingston (2020-21, Buchtel High School), VonCameron Davis (2019-20, Walnut Ridge High School), and Ben Roderick (2018-19, Olentangy Liberty High School), among the state’s list of former award winners,” the release pointed out.
“Through Gatorade’s Play it Forward initiative, every Player of the Year receives a grant to give to one of Gatorade’s social impact partners, supporting Gatorade’s ambition to fuel the future of sport. To date, Gatorade Player of the Year winners’ grants have totaled more than $3.5 million across more than 1,300 organizations.”
Washington will look to win the state title this weekend, finish off high school and join the Michigan team this summer.
