LAS VEGAS – As time was ticking off the clock within the first half of Saturday’s Houston Rockets summer time league sport versus Oklahoma Metropolis, Rockets guard TyTy Washington obtained a cross-court go from teammate Daishen Nix proper above the 3-point line.
With Josh Christopher open within the nook, the Thunder defender needed to rapidly resolve who he would guard, and he adopted his instincts and closed out on the shooter. From there, Washington pump-faked a shot, took one arduous dribble to the best, and hoisted up a 24-foot 3-point shot over the outstretched arm of a second defender. Washington’s shot hit nothing however web, giving his group a 45-40 halftime lead.
What made the shot so particular wasn’t that Washington made a great basketball play. It was the truth that he had pump-faked his outdated highschool nemesis, Jalen Williams, who was chosen at No. 12 general within the 2022 NBA draft by Oklahoma Metropolis. The 2 Arizona natives grew up enjoying in opposition to one another and are good mates off the court docket.
“It felt actually good,” Washington stated about his buzzer-beater over Willams. “When he was operating at me, I checked out him, and as soon as I pump-faked him and moved to the aspect, I heard him screaming, ‘That’s off.’ So, after I made it, I checked out him like, come on Jalen, you already know I obtained this.”
Washington, who scored 9 factors in 22 minutes, was a standout highschool participant at Ceasar Chavez and Arizona Compass Prep. In the meantime, Williams shined at Gilbert Perry. The 2 have recognized one another for a really very long time, however they hadn’t performed in opposition to one another shortly.
“Me and Jalen began enjoying in opposition to one another after we had been like infants, like eight or 9 years outdated,” Washington stated postgame. “From center college to early highschool. That is my first time enjoying in opposition to him since then. It’s been a very long time, however simply seeing us on the market on the most important stage on the market competing was actually cool.”
Williams echoed the identical pleasant sentiments in direction of Washington in his post-game press convention.
“It’s type of uncommon, particularly in Arizona, to play in opposition to somebody you grew up with,” stated Williams, who completed with 15 factors on 7-of-12 capturing (58.3%) in 28 minutes. He additionally had 5 rebounds and a couple of steals. “I’ve recognized TyTy (Washington) since we had been like six. So, it was a extremely cool expertise and he performed properly, too, in order that was dope.”
Arizona turned a scorching spot for NBA expertise on this yr’s draft. In all, six gamers from the state had been drafted, together with Washington, who was chosen by Memphis at No. 29 and traded to the Rockets.
“I really feel like Arizona is slept on, however this yr we had six individuals who went to highschool in Arizona get drafted,” stated Washington, who put Houston in entrance for good with a floater within the remaining 30 seconds of Saturday’s win. “Arizona isn’t a bummy state. We obtained just a few hoopers on the market.”