Richard Washington (born July 15, 1955) played his way from the streets of Portland onto college basketball greatness at UCLA and then the NBA. He was the highest draft pick of a native Oregonian.
Born in 1955, Washington attended Benson High, where he played under coach Dick Gray. Washington grew to be a 6-foot-11 center and led the Techmen to the state title in 1971 and ’73, and fourth place in 1972. Washington was selected to the All-Tournament first team all three seasons. Those Benson teams had a combined record of 77-6. Richard also played football and ran hurdles for the Techmen.
As one of the nation’s most recruited players, Washington chose to attend UCLA. The Bruins reached the NCAA Tournament’s Final Four in Washington’s three seasons at the school but lost in the semifinals in 1974 and ’76. In 1975, Washington led the Bruins to the NCAA title and earned the Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player award. He was chosen 1st team All-America. After the title game, coach John Wooden retired, having led the program to 10 titles in his final 12 years. Washington averaged 14.2 points and 6.7 rebounds per game and shot 53.6% from the field in three collegiate seasons.
Following the 1976 Tournament, Washington used the NBA Hardship Exception, which allowed him to be drafted with a year of college eligibility remaining. The Kansas City Kings selected him third overall and he averaged 13.0 points and 8.5 rebounds per game as a rookie.
Washington averaged 12.8 points and 8.4 rebounds in his second year but played just 18 games due to injury in his third season and was limited to being a role player for the following three seasons. He was a member of the Dallas Mavericks during their expansion season, 1980-81. He retired in 1982. In six seasons in the NBA, Washington played in 351 games and averaged 9.8 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. He played in 11 playoff games.
Washington, who returned to Portland and started a construction company, was inducted into the UCLA and PIL halls of fame.