Chris Skinkis heard a number of stories about Jordan Washington when he began recruiting the beefy power forward from Queens. Most of them described Washington as difficult and undisciplined.
Halfway into his first season at national JUCO powerhouse Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, Iowa, the 6-foot-8 Washington has either proven those tales false or has changed his ways.
He has been a vital piece to the nationally ranked and loaded junior college, a part-time starter averaging 10.7 points and 5.8 rebounds per game while staying on top of his responsibilities in the classroom.
“It’s crazy,” said Skinkis, an assistant coach at Indian Hills. “He’s probably one of our best guys. I don’t know if he’s ever overslept or missed class. I think everyone thought he was wild, selfish, a tough-to-coach kid. But really, he’s coachable. When he’s on the bench, he’s probably one of our best cheerleaders.
“He’s been really kind of grateful. He’s really taking advantage of this opportunity.”
Basketball wasn’t an issue for Washington in high school. He led Pathways to a pair of PSAL Class B division titles, picking up scholarship offers from a number of high-major programs. But academics was an issue. Hoping to find a way to qualify, Washington left Pathways in 2012 for West Oaks Academy in Florida, only to return in January 2013.
Skinkis said Washington still needs to drop some weight, but he has been impressed with his new player’s skill-set — his soft hands, quick feet, strength and touch around the basket. He has been productive in Indian Hills’ up-tempo attack, which is forcing him to improve his conditioning.
Washington still has another year left at Indian Hills, but a number of schools are involved with Washington, such as Cincinnati, UNLV, Iowa State, Miami, Marquette and St. John’s.
“He’s got an unbelievable ability to go at you with his body and finish,” Skinkis said. “He’s got a lot of upside.”
It’s been quite a transition, from the hustle of Queens to the quiet of Iowa. Washington said there isn’t anything to do but play basketball, study and sleep.
“It’s getting me ready for the big stage and I’m going to be ready for it,” he said. “I’m learning a lot of things and getting into shape. I just can’t wait to get to the bigger stage.”
Lincoln guard Elisha Boone verbally committed to St. Peter’s on Wednesday night. He’s the third player from the Coney Island school to land a Division-I scholarship, joining Seton Hall commits Isaiah Whitehead and Desi Rodriguez.
Christ the King junior guard Travis Alston picked up his first scholarship offer, from Quinnipiac.
Manhattan offered Scanlan junior point guard Jordan Riullano.
Seton Hall added yet another piece to its 2014 recruiting class when it picked up Northwestern transfer Chier Ajou, a raw 7-foot-2 center from South Sudan. The cousin of Cavaliers forward Luol Deng, Ajou has two and a half years of eligibility left and will be eligible next December.
Wings Academy junior duo Desure Buie and Jessie Govan attended last Sunday’s St. John’s-Villanova game at the Garden as visitors of the Red Storm.
Football
Lincoln All-American defensive tackle Thomas Holley flipped his verbal commitment from Penn State to Florida on Wednesday morning.
Cardinal Hayes sophomore running back Timothy Poindexter has picked up scholarship offers from Rutgers, Penn and Boston College.