Washington embraces recruiting attention

CASTALIA — The interest is ramping up. Margaretta rising senior Julian Washington has more than a dozen college basketball offers — Loyola Chicago, Xavier, Butler, Virginia Tech, Toledo and VCU, just to name a few. But that doesn't faze him or stop him from getting better. Playing for Polar Bears assistant coach Jake Meisler for the Ohio Buckets in the Elite Youth Champions League has opened numerous doors for Washington. "It's going pretty good," said Washington of his recruitment. "A lot of new coaches from not around this area are starting to hit me up and take notice. When I play for Jake on his Ohio Buckets team in the EYCL, it definitely brings a lot of exposure to me. I'm getting texts from coaches daily that I've been in contact with for a while. "It's definitely been a good experience. It's fun." The Loyola Chicago offer came just a few weeks ago and Xavier the week before that. VCU offered in late May. Washington said it isn't overwhelming. "I think it's very fun because I've dreamed of this since I was a kid," Washington said. "I'm definitely enjoying the process." Margaretta coach Steve Keller is able to see what Washington does when he isn't on the court. Washington carries a 3.6 grade point average. "He's really focused on one thing and that's enjoying the game he loves," Keller said. "He truly has a passion for it. I give them a mandatory day off and some of them still want to be in the gym. He's one of them. He's handled his recruitment very well and he's handled it maturely." Last season, the Polar Bears won 24 games and a second straight district title. Washington averaged 21.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.7 steals per game. He made 53 of 109 3-pointers (49 percent) and 74 of 90 free throws (82 percent). "He is really working hard in the areas he has to improve on," Keller said. "When you're talented, to humble yourself and say you have to get better in these areas, that's really impressive stuff. He's doing that. He's working hard and he's gotten stronger in the weight room. That's the biggest area." Since the OHSAA basketball season ended, Washington has played both for Meisler and the Ohio Buckets and Keller and the Margaretta high school team. The 6-foot-4 guard said he enjoys both. The Polar Bears won the Battle 4 the Bay earlier this month. "The level of competition is definitely not as strong as it is in the EYCL," Washington said. "I'm just trying to get our guys more involved so that they can get better. We have some younger guys that are going to have to be leaders of the team next year." Washington is no stranger to playing in front of college coaches. The Buckets team does it often, playing throughout the Midwest at different high-level exposure events. The Buckets will play in the prestigious Peach Jam in North Augusta, Georgia, in mid-July. The nerves of performing in front of coaches who have taken teams to the Final Four isn't what it used to be for Washington. "Before, when I was younger, it was kind of nerve-racking because I was new to the whole recruiting thing and coaches," Washington said. "Now, it's an everyday thing. You start to get used to it." Washington and the Polar Bears will get the chance to play in front of a plethora of college coaches again this weekend. Margaretta is the lone area participant at Midwest Live starting Friday at Cedar Point Sports Center. More than 140 teams from five states will compete in the annual showcase that draws college coaches from across the country. The Polar Bears face Patrick Henry at 3 p.m. and Wheeling Central Catholic from West Virginia at 5 p.m. Friday. Margaretta returns Saturday to face Delphos St. John's at 9 a.m. and Holland Ottawa from Michigan at 11 a.m. "I'm very excited," Washington said. "We want to come out and compete. That's all coach asks for — compete and play hard. We want to do the best we can and come out with some wins."