Jenks guard Jessica Washington commits to UNC
BY KELLY HINES World Sports Writer
Saturday, May 05, 2012
Jenks star guard Jessica Washington verbally committed Saturday to play basketball at North Carolina a week after receiving an offer from the Tar Heels.
“I couldn’t take it anymore,” she said. “I knew where I wanted to go, so I just had to make the decision.”
The All-Metro Player of the Year last season, the 5-foot-8 Washington averaged 18.4 points while leading the Trojans to their first state tournament appearance since 2007 and surpassing 1,000 career points.
As the state’s top prospect for the Class of 2013 and one of ESPNU’s top 150 recruits, she received attention from nearly every school in the country and strongly considered Oklahoma. But after visiting Chapel Hill last weekend, the decision got easier.
“Whenever I went to visit the campus, I just knew it was the place for me,” Washington said. “I loved it.”
Her father, Travis, is a longtime Tar Heels fan, and that may have played a role in her choice.
“I’ve always loved North Carolina since I was a little girl,” she said. “Whenever I was a baby, I was wearing North Carolina stuff.”
UNC also received commitments Saturday from two elite forwards, Georgia’s Diamond DeShields and Indiana’s Stephanie Mavunga.
Washington, who will try out for the U17 USA team in two weeks in Colorado, said she is glad to have her commitment out of the way.
“I already feel like a lot better about it,” she said. “Now I have to call everyone and tell them, that’s the hardest part. After today it will be good.”
Associated Images:
Jenks star guard Jessica Washington verbally committed Saturday to play basketball at North Carolina a week after receiving an offer from the Tar Heels. JAMES GIBBARD/Tulsa World
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