NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State head coach Dan Muller has announced the signing of current high school senior Emon Washington to a National Letter of Intent to compete for Illinois State starting in the 2020-21 basketball season.
Washington is a 6-5 wing who is attending South Cobb High School near Atlanta, after spending his previous three years at Yazoo County High School in Mississippi. Last season Yazoo County went 30-1 and fell in the semifinals of the Mississippi State Tournament, while his squad on the Under Armour Rise Circuit went 18-4, falling in the Championship Game.
"One of the most attractive things about Emon is quite simply – he is a competitor that does what it takes to help his team win," said Muller. "Emon is a versatile 6-5 wing that can make shots as well as finish above the rim. He plays with a high motor and can defend multiple positions. Emon is a high character young man that will be a great representative for Illinois State. I am so excited to welcome Emon to our program."
As a junior at Yazoo County HS, Washington averaged 16.5 points per game, while stuffing the box score by pulling down 9.4 rebounds, dishing out 1.7 assists, grabbing 1.5 steals and blocking 1.6 shots per game. He made 59 percent of his shots from the field (191-of-322) and 126-of-180 free throws (70 percent).
In 31 games he reached double-figures 28 times, including a season-high 29 points on Jan. 4 against Ruleville Central. He had 14 points-rebounds double-doubles during the year, including a season high of 26 rebounds, also on Jan. 4 against Ruleville Central. He twice had six blocked shots in a game and had season-highs of six assists and four steals (twice).
Washington joins 6-9 forward Alston Andrews who signed with the Redbirds yesterday.
Illinois State is currently 2-1 in the 2019-20 season and will face off against the Cincinnati Bearcats on Friday, Nov. 22 in the opening round of the Paradise Jam, hosted in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App: Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
