Washington commits to Dayton

CASTALIA — At one point, Julian Washington was being recruited by more than 40 NCAA Division I schools to play college basketball. The Margaretta senior narrowed his potential destination to three schools recently and Friday at the Polar Bears' football game against Gibsonburg, he let the world know his decision. Washington, a 6-foot-5, 175-pound guard, announced his intentions to attend the University of Dayton next season. "It kind of just hit me," Washington said. "The night before, I made the decision in my head. I went to bed and I was up all night and what was in my head was I just kept thinking Dayton. That was definitely the Lord talking to me and telling me it was the right fit for me. I'm very excited." Washington said the coaching and coaching staff sold him. He will play for head coach Anthony Grant, who was the AP National Coach of the Year in 2020 at Dayton. Grant was an assistant when Florida won a national championship in 2006 before serving as head coach at VCU and Alabama before landing at Dayton. The Flyers play at University of Dayton Arena, which was just announced as sold out for the fifth straight season. The Ohio high school boys and girls basketball state championships take place at UD Arena. "The guys were amazing when I was there on my official (visit)," Washington said. "I've been to state championships, so I've seen the arena. It's a great place. It's sold out every year. That definitely played a big part. I want to be part of something great." Washington picked Dayton over Florida Atlantic and Northern Iowa. He likes the Flyers' fast-paced offense where they get shots up, but get back and guard. "I prayed on it. I asked God to show me where the best fit was," Washington said. "I liked all three schools. Everybody was great. The atmosphere was nice between all three. That night it really hit me and I knew Dayton was the fit." Washington has played for the Ohio Buckets organization and coach Jake Meisler, who is an assistant for Margaretta during the high school basketball season. Meisler said Washington is very much like a son to him. "I am so happy for Julian and his family. He definitely found home with Dayton," Meisler said. "Over those years, I've had the privilege of watching him develop as player and person. He is totally selfless. He puts his classmates, teammates and friends first and conducts himself in a way that a lot of kids don't today." Meisler helped Washington throughout the recruiting process over the past few years. "Throughout this whole recruitment, that is what I've tried to drive home most to coaches evaluating him," Meisler said. "Yes, he's a fantastic basketball talent — the best this area has ever seen — but what you can't evaluate without knowing Julian is what kind of kid he is. Character, integrity and compassion are very important to me and I'd be willing to risk my entire reputation on Julian Washington." Washington burst onto the scene as a freshman, starting right away for Margaretta. The Polar Bears were 14-10 in 2022-23, losing to Cardinal Stritch in a district semifinal. Washington helped Margaretta take it much further the following season. The Polar Bears went 24-4 his sophomore season, losing to Ottawa-Glandorf in a regional final. Margaretta followed that up with 24 wins last season, equaling the school record. The Polar Bears won a second straight district title before a loss to Columbus Academy in front of a standing-room only crowd in Mansfield. Washington averaged 21.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.7 steals per game last season and was a first-team All-Ohio selection in Division V. Washington easily could have left the small community of Castalia for a bigger school, but chose to play for the Polar Bears. "It has been a really long and tedious road for him choosing a destination," Meisler said. "(Margaretta head coach) Steve (Keller) and I demanded a ton from him in regards to doing it the right way. I can say without a shadow of a doubt that he exceeded those demands. He returned calls and texts. He picked up the phone and had those really difficult and uncomfortable conversations and he did it all in a very timely and mature way. "He's leaving quite the legacy in Castalia. I wish him nothing but the best and hopefully someday he'll come back to be an even bigger piece of our program and community." Washington said the distance from home definitely played a factor. Dayton is about 175 miles from Castalia while Northern Iowa's campus is 580 miles away and Florida Atlantic is about 1,250 miles. "My mom definitely wanted me to stay close as possible," Washington said. "My dad didn't really mind where I went, but my mom wanted me close. That definitely helped the decision to try to have my family and friends come to games." Washington said the recruitment was a little much at times. After all, he's still a high school senior trying to be a teenager. "I tried to not let it get to me or making it affect my playing," Washington said. "It was a little overwhelming because you're texting constantly and you're on calls constantly. It kind of takes away from being a kid. It's a business at that point. I definitely enjoyed the process. It's something I dreamed about as a kid, so I'm really thankful." Washington plans to major in business management or business finance, and wants to own a couple car dealerships after his basketball days end. The plan all along was to announce his commitment before the high school season starts. Practice begins next Friday. "That was definitely the goal," Washington said. "I knew before the season started and when I was going on visits that I wanted to commit before the season so I could focus on Margaretta basketball. I didn't want to focus on different schools and visit. "I wanted to get it out of the way to be able to focus on the season ahead." Name, Image and Likeness could be coming to high school sports even before Washington graduates. NIL allows players to sign deals with businesses and make money while playing collegiate sports. He said he doesn't have a huge interest in it. He's headed to Dayton to play basketball. "I understand it's a part of the high school and college process now," Washington said. "It definitely didn't play a huge factor into my decision. "I'm there to get an education and play as much basketball as I can."