Freshman point guard Tyrone “TyTy” Washington has already made his mark on Cesar Chavez’s boys’ basketball program with three more years to only become better.

 

Despite his young age, according to Cesar Chavez head coach Gary Lee, Washington is already a natural floor leader.

 

“A lot of it has to do with his confidence and his game,” Lee said. “He’s very experienced with a lot of big games and a lot of big shots in his life.”

 

Washington started playing basketball when he was four years old. He got into the game when his father bought him a toy plastic rim and automatically saw potential in the young boy.

 

Being a baller runs in Washington’s family. Both of his parents played college ball at South Mountain Community College and his younger brother and sister already play basketball as well. His parents and his grandmother are his inspirations.

 

“My grandma always tells me one day I will make it so just keep pushing and never quit,” Washington said.

 

Washington started playing AAU basketball when he was six years old and now plays for the 16U Team Harden AAU team.

 

AAU is where Washington met freshman Ricardo Sarmiento, who also plays for Cesar Chavez, when he was only five years old. Washington said ever since AAU, they have had a special connection.

 

“He always makes the right basketball plays,” Sarmiento said. “He’s a very good passer and he’s not selfish.”

 

Outside of his AAU practices and Cesar Chavez practices, Washington works on his shots on his own time. Most of the time, Washington said he will go to LA Fitness with his father and put up around 500 shots.

 

His hard work showed off this season with a couple of big games and accomplishments.

 

One game that stands out to Washington was his 25-point game against Trevor Browne on Jan. 16. Washington also had the game winning shot to give Cesar Chavez a 66-64 win.

 

“It was about to go to overtime but I ended the game, we almost lost to them,” Washington said. “That’s when I was like, ‘let me just get focused and play harder.’”

 

Washington, under coach Lee, had his season-changing game on Jan. 13 when Chavez played Corona del Sol at Talking Stick Resort Arena.

 

Although the team lost 81-79, Washington had 31 points and made several crucial shots, even one putting Chavez on top by one point with two seconds left in the game.

 

“That game was one of the best games I’ve ever seen TyTy play,” Sarmiento said.

 

Cesar Chavez finished the season with an overall record of 19-10 and 10-0 in section. Their season ended on Feb. 13 when they lost to Desert Vista 76-61.

 

Although this season is over for Washington and the rest of the Cesar Chavez basketball team, next year is still looking bright. The team is only losing three seniors and the underclassmen including Washington are looking forward to how successful the team will be.

 

“We are all young and we all run, so when we go out on that open floor we just push the ball,” Washington said.