Become a McDonald's All-American player. Sign with Kentucky. Playing for USA Basketball. Become a “lottery pick”. Playing for the Mavericks. This is what is called writing your story before living it.
This list of objectives is that of PJ Washington. “ This is the list I made when I was in the sixth or fifth year of school. I was in my room one day. I wrote down the things I wanted to do, stapled it to the wall and took a picture of it “, develops Mavs power forward.
He even made it his home screen on his electronic devices at the time. “ It reminded me every day of the things I wanted to do. I feel like I always knew I'd be here one day, but I'm obviously very lucky », Continues the native of Louisville who managed to achieve all the objectives set.
Drafted in 12th position in 2019, after his two years at Kentucky, he is only four victories away from a new dream that was not mentioned in his list: winning an NBA title. A scenario that was still unimaginable a few months ago, when he and Daniel Gafford were vegetating in the poorly ranked teams in the East (Hornets and Wizards).
Present during the 2011 title
“ I'm pretty sure he (Gafford) didn't expect to be here, just like me. It's a lot of emotion to go from Charlotte, where we weren't winning many matches, to the Finals in a few months. It’s a quick change of circumstances, we are extremely grateful. We take nothing for granted. When I was a child, I never thought I would be in the position I am in today », Continues PJ Washington.
Even if the latter attended Mavs matches when he was younger, notably those of the 2010-11 season which ended with the Texans winning the title.
“ One of my father's friends had a year-round subscription, he always asked us if we wanted to go. I don't remember exactly where I was sitting, but I know that the ManiAAC (editor’s note: the troupe of dancers) were not far behind me. I was really invested in this team “, he remembers.
So much so that today, being coached by the leader at the time, Jason Kidd, “ The circle is complete ” for him.
