KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – University of Tennessee head men’s basketball coach Rick Barnes announced Wednesday the signing of Jalen Washington.
Following one year at Vanderbilt and three at North Carolina, Washington heads to Tennessee as a fifth-year forward for his final season of eligibility.
“We are ecstatic to have Jalen join Tennessee basketball. He is a first-class young man who embodies the character, humility and work ethic that define our program,” Barnes said. “Jalen is the type of person who elevates everyone around him, on and off the court. He gives us another experienced low-post presence whom we can play through on the block. He has proven he can score inside, stretch the floor and make winning plays. Jalen wants to be challenged, develop as a player and compete for a national title. We love Jalen’s selfless approach, as he is all about winning and embracing his role.”
Washington is coming off a strong 2025-26 campaign in which he averaged 8.9 points, 5.6 rebounds 1.3 blocks in 20.6 minutes per game for Vanderbilt. He shot 56.3 percent from the floor, while appearing in all 36 games and starting nine.
The 6-foot-10, 245-pounder tied for No. 10 in SEC in total blocked shots (46) and ranked No. 12 in blocks per game. In SEC-only action, he placed No. 10 in blocks average (1.3) and No. 15 in rebounding average (6.2), while tying for the second-most blocks in a league contest with six in a Feb. 21 matchup versus Tennessee.
Washington scored double-digit points on 13 occasions last year, with 16-plus five times and 21-plus twice, with a high of 22 on Feb. 10 in a win at Auburn. He reached 10 rebounds in two outings, including in that same matchup against the Volunteers, with eight-plus in nine contests. Washington also posted three-plus blocks four times, half of which were against his new team, with four-plus thrice.
In 2024-25, during his final year at North Carolina, Washington played in 36 of 37 games and made 16 starts. He averaged 5.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in 15.9 minutes per outing, while shooting 59.4 percent on field goals.
Washington had five double-figure scoring performances that year, reaching 18 twice. He had an 11-point, 12-rebound double-double in a Jan. 11, 2025, victory at NC State.
During his sophomore campaign, 2023-24, Washington produced 3.9 points and 2.6 rebounds in 8.3 minutes per game. He played in all 37 games, shot a dazzling 70.1 percent from the field and scored 10-plus points four times.
Washington served in a reserve role during his freshman year in 2022-23, appearing in 20 games for North Carolina. He totaled 43 points and 27 rebounds in 113 minutes of action.
Across his four-year career, Washington has played in 129 games and started 25 times. He owns averages of 5.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in 13.4 minutes per game, alongside a stellar 58.8 percent clip from the floor.
Overall, Washington possesses 23 double-digit point totals, including six performances with 16-plus. He has grabbed at least seven rebounds on 20 occasions, with nine-plus five times, as well as posted multiple blocks in 26 contests, with four-plus in six.
Each team Washington has played for won at least 20 games, with an average of 24.8 per year. He has been part of an NCAA Tournament group in each of the past three campaigns, averaging 26.3 wins per seasons across that stretch.
A native of Gary, Ind., Washington was one of the premier frontcourt players in the prep class of 2022. A consensus four-star, top-70 recruit, he ranked as high as No. 40 nationally according to ESPN, which labeled him the best prospect in the Hoosier State. Washington finished No. 55 in the 247Sports Composite, good for second in Indiana and No. 12 among centers.
Despite missing his senior season at West Side Leadership Academy due to an injury, Washington was still named an Indiana All-Star by The Indianapolis Star. As a junior, he was named an Associated Press All-State Honorable Mention after averaging 12.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 3.0 blocks per game, and leading his team to the IHSA 4A state semifinals.
Washington, who trained with the 2022 USA Junior National Team, was also an excellent high school student. He was a member of National Honor Society and made the Indiana Academic All-State Team.
On the AAU circuit, Washington competed for MeanStreets in the Nike EYBL. Fellow Tennessee newcomers Marquis Clark and Miles Rubin also played for the renowned Chicago-based program.
Furthermore, Washington’s older brother, Jimmie, played collegiately at IU Northwest and Central Methodist.
Washington is the second Indiana native coming to Tennessee in 2026-27, alongside Notre Dame transfer Jalen Harlason. They are preceded by 14 letter winners from Indiana, the most recent of whom was Chris Brand in 1992-93. The list also features three two-time First Team All-SEC picks in Mike Edwards (1971-72, 1972-73), Dalen Showalter (1958-59, 1959-60) and Gilbert Huffman (1938-39, 1940-41).
Washington is the 13th new player for the 2026-27 Volunteers, including the ninth to join via the transfer portal. He follows MVC Player of the Year Tyler Lundblade, two-time All-A-10 Defensive Team honoree Miles Rubin, Third Team All-ACC designee Dai Dai Ames, First Team All-A-10 selection Terrence Hill Jr., All-ACC Honorable Mention Jalen Haralson, CUSA Defensive Team pick Braedan Lue, Second Team All-ACC choice Juke Harris and veteran A-10 big man Christian Fermin in Tennessee’s transfer haul, which is ranked first nationally by ESPN. The Volunteers also have a quartet of freshmen on the roster in Marquis Clark, Manny Green, Ralph Scott and Chris Washington Jr.
