Every week a spotlight is shown on one of our Leprechauns, this week we are focusing in on our #11, Ron Washington. Ron has been playing basketball all of his life and his talent and heart really show it! At 6'8'' and 215 lbs., our spotlight player of the week also has the brightest and biggest smile on the team. He is my son's absolute favorite player and Ron makes sure to show the kid some extra attention to brighten his day. He always makes time for fans, especially the kids. Ron is one of the nicest guys I know. He is truly kind and a phenomenal player.
Photo Credit: Britney Nickle VP of Operations
Born June 6, 1998 in Jersey City, Ron's earliest memories include playing basketball. "My first vivid memory was when I was 3-4 years old and I remember chasing the ball up and down the garage parking. My brother and older friends were playing basketball with my father at the time." Ron played other sports (baseball and football) but the talent was in basketball and it grew quickly. He knew early on what his lifelong passion was going to be.
Photo provided by Ron Washington
"Like any father, my father put a baseball, football, and basketball in my crib, I never let the basketball go."
-Ron Washington
Photo Credit Britney Nickle VP of Operations
Ron moved around for a bit as kid. Between the ages of birth and 4, Ron lived in Jersey City with his parents, 2 brothers, and 3 sisters. Shortly after turning 4, Ron and his family moved to Richmond, Virginia until he was 6 years old. After Virginia, they moved to Pennsylvania and lived there for 7 months until they returned to Jersey City. Throughout his adult life he has moved around quite a bit as well!
Photo provided by Ron Washington
"Grew up in a real tough area, maybe considered one of the worst blocks in the city (Jersey City). My parents wouldn't really let me go outside and play unless I went to my cousin's house. Because of this I always ended up dribbling the ball through the house, throwing passes off the wall (my mother NEVER complained), or I would be on the porch just dribbling seeing everyone else having fun."
-Ron Washington
Photo provided by Ron Washington
Ron's parents ended up separating and getting a divorce when he was just 11 years old. By that age, all of his siblings were grown and living their own lives. Ron and his mother moved to a better part of town and lived there for around 2 years. This is where he was allowed to play outside and be gone for 5-6 hours without mom having to worry so much. "Basketball always was my safe haven. My family was going through some things and basketball seemed to always bring them together. Whenever I would play or I would have something to do, I would always feel like that the only time all of the family problems went away."
Photo provided by Ron Washington
Being a young man, but also feeling like the man of the house, helped him grow up quicker and understand more even though he was "naive" to a lot. It was just him and mom, and even though he truly wasn't the "man of the house" he felt that way at the time.
Photo Credit: Britney Nickle VP of Operations
Ron was a natural in school. He cared about school more than he felt his peers did. He worked hard. "I didn't get my first C until I was a senior in high school and that was when I was taking college courses." (WOAH). Ron is proud of his academic accomplishments as he should be. This guy truly has it all. He was selected and inducted into the National Honor Society and became Vice President of the chapter.
Photo Credit: Britney Nickle VP of Operations
Ron went to 3 very different high schools. Most of the transfers were not move related. He would transfer for the basketball programs. Like goldilocks, he struggled to find the "just right" school he needed to grow and learn. He excelled in academics at all three schools but he needed the basketball team to feel right. The search began with McNair Academy.
Photo Credit: Britney Nickle VP of Operations
The first high school Ron went to (9th grade, 1st semester) was an academic school called McNair Academy in Jersey City. It is one of the highest ranked schools in the United States. He did not want to go at all. As any mother would, Ron's mother feared that he would end up down the wrong path if he went to the school's where Ron's friends went. McNair was only a part of Ron's life for a short time. He decided that he wanted to go to a different school and argued with his mother until the transfer to Dickinson happened.
Photo Credit: Britney Nickle VP of Operations
"McNair was just different. I was always smart but my life didn't truly revolve around school like basketball did. The basketball team was not good at all. I truly hated it."
-Ron Washington
Dickinson was the biggest school in Jersey City. Ron had plenty of friends that he was very close with but the basketball program just didn't feel right. He needed more. He needed his talent to grow within good and competitive basketball. He needed to feel that challenge. He went to Dickinson until his junior year before transferring to Henry Snyder High School.
Photo Credit: Britney Nickle VP of Operations
Henry Snyder High School was the final high school that Ron attended. "Snyder was considered the worst school in Jersey City, but I needed it. It helped me develop to be the person I am today. I was with all my childhood friends and my coach that I had since I was 9. It definitely had a family feeling." Even if the school was the "worst", it did not phase our Leprechaun. He graduated in 2016, 4th in his class with a 3.8 GPA. Incredible!
Photo provided by Ron Washington
While academics were important to Ron, basketball was the true love of his life. Ron played varsity basketball from his sophomore year on and he started all 3 years. He did well at each school but Snyder is where Washington EXPLODED. He almost won player of the year. He was first team all county, first team all state. He received awards like "Player of the Week" and during his transfers he was a big topic at these rival schools and on social media.
Photo provided by Ron Washington
High School was a great time of growth for Ron, both academically and athletically. He stood out in BOTH areas. He EXCELLED in both areas. He was truly unstoppable. You have to really consider how going to three different high schools could easily hinder a student/player, not Ron. I think that alone is something to truly be proud of, don't worry the story doesn't end here. Ron has more inspiration to give us.
Photo sourced from Raritan Valley Community College Player Profile
After high school, Ron decided he wanted to stay close to home. That is where family was. Home is where he could play basketball with his friends. He chose to go to Raritan Valley Community College. He knew that with his grades and talent he could go anywhere later on, but for 2016-2017 (Freshman year) he found a spot to land near everything he loved. In basketball at Raritan Valley he averaged 15 PPG and 10 RPG. After receiving plenty of scholarship offers that year he decided it was finally time to venture out on his own further away from home.
Photo Credit: Britney Nickle VP of Operations
For Ron's sophomore year of college, 2017-2018, he chose to leave Raritan Valley Community College. He wanted more competition. He wanted to feel what it was like to play at a high division 1 school. He transferred to Lewis and Clark Community College. Sound familiar? In an earlier spotlight article this school was mentioned, but who went there? DIONTE RAINES! Yes, this is where Ron met Dionte. Hang onto that little bit of information for later. ;). Ron didn't have a perfect season. He suffered a knee injury. His knee got really swollen. After doing weeks of physical therapy for what was thought to be a torn meniscus, the swelling went down. An MRI was conducted and there was damaged cartilage found. Unfortunately he had to sit out for 24 days of the season.
Photo sourced from Bloomfield College website
Ron chose to transfer to Bloomfield College, a division 2 school in NJ. After redshirting and an injury (thigh contusion that wouldn't heal and developed into myositis ossificans) (OUCH!) Ron felt that the coach of the team didn't share the same vision and so he decided to leave after his Junior year. I find it interesting how he does not settle. He feels that the vibes are not where he needs them to be, he chases his dream elsewhere. Most would settle, Ron will accept nothing less than what he knows he needs.
Photo sourced from Southwestern Christian University Player Profile
Ron found his collegiate home at Southwestern Christian University. He played three exceptional years and went through a major transformation. "I grew spiritually, mentally, and as a basketball player. I became an adult, learned how to pay bills." During his three years at SW Christian, Ron played very well. His first year he averaged 14 PPG and 6 RPG. His second year, 20 PPG and 8 RPG. Finally in his third year, he averaged 13 PPG and 5 Rebounds.
Photo sourced from Southwestern Christian University Player Profile
Ron didn't just play basketball all through college. He was also working hard to get his degree. He graduated from Southwestern Christian College in 2022 with a degree in Liberal Studies!
Photo sourced from Southwestern Christian University Player Profile
After college, Ron went on to play professionally in Germany. He played for Tus Ademax Bramsche where he averaged 28 PPG and 9 RPG. The team won a championship! "I really enjoyed that stint there and it was a great learning experience." He was there from August 2022 - April 2023.
Photo provided by Ron Washington
Ron returned to Germany in September 2023 to play for a team called Merzen Lions. He played well but the team decided to shut down due to lack of sponsorships. He averaged 31 PPG and 11 RPG. Ron returned home in December 2023.
Photo provided by Ron Washington
While Ron is at home, he volunteers at his old high school. He works alongside his former coach to run drills with the kids and to talk to the kids of the importance of staying on the right path. He is a big hit when he is in town!
Photo Credit: Britney Nickle VP of Operations
After returning to his home he quickly realized it was time to move on. He was nowhere near done with basketball. Remember how Ron met Dionte all the way back in 2017-2018? He kept track of his old friend our #4 Leprechaun. He followed our beloved team and after a conversation held between him and Dionte, he decided to come up and try out. The rest is history, Ron became a Leprechaun.
Photo Credit: Britney Nickle VP of Operations
As a Leprechaun Ron is playing very well. He is averaging 16 PPG so far, with 7.1 RPG. He makes dunking look easy. He is always in good spirits on the court. His FT% for the season is at 73.9%. In 6 games this season he has scored over 20 PPG. His RPG is never below 6. He is a phenomenal asset to this team.
"I wasn’t sure what to expect from Ron not knowing him coming into the season but Ron has been the most consistent player we’ve had all season. He always has a great attitude, always lifting others up, and always working on his game. He has played positions for us that I know he’s not the most comfortable in but he does it without any question and does it to his best ability! As a coach, that’s all you can ask for. The Leprechaun's are very grateful to have Ron on our team!"
-Head Coach John Benson
Photo Credit: AJ leprechaunnews.com
Ron Washington accepts nothing less than glory. He works incredibly hard. He has a contagious sense of humor and that smile is always on display. I consider Ron a very dependable friend that I do not plan on ever losing contact with. He is a fantastic guy all around. Lebanon, talk to Ron after a game if you haven't yet. He will always make time for you and genuinely cares about his fans and the community. Plus, you will walk away giggling because the guy just knows how to make anyone laugh.
Photo Credit: Dahrol @ DSportzMedia
Ron Washington plans to move to Phoenix, AZ after the season ends. He wants to go overseas in August and play some more over there. Do not despair, Lebanon, he plans to be back next season as a Leprechaun "As long as they will have me".
Photo Credit: Britney Nickle VP of Operations