Chris Washington Jr, the top prep prospect in the Volunteer State, committed to Tennessee basketball on Thursday afternoon. Washington chose the Vols over a top group that included Auburn, Ole Miss, Southern Cal, and Villanova.
Washington ranks as a four-star recruit and the No. 43 player in the country according to the 247sports composite rankings. He also ranks as the No. 16 small forward and the top player in the state of Tennessee in the 2026 recruiting cycle.
A standout at Providence Christian Academy in Murfreesboro, Washington was a nominee for the Mr. Basketball Award in Tennessee. He helped lead Providence Academy to a 29-6 record and a Division II-A State Championship in his senior season.
The 6-foot-9, 195-pound wing originally committed to Alabama in September before backing off his commitment in November. Tennessee offered Washington in January and was originally scheduled to host him for an official visit in February.
Inclement weather cancelled Washington’s trip to Knoxville for the Auburn game. Washington ended up taking his official visit to Tennessee earlier this week.
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Washington is a natural small forward but he is capable of playing as a stretch four because of his long frame.
Tennessee signed three players during the early signing period including four-star wing Ralph Scott, four-star Manny Green and three-star point guard Marquis Clark. With Washington in the fold, Tennessee’s 2026 recruiting class now ranks No. 9 in the 247sports team rankings.
The Vols have also landed four players in the transfer portal to date including Belmont sharpshooter Tyler Lundblade, Cal combo guard Dai Dai Ames, Cal wing Jalen Haralson and Loyola (Chicago) center Miles Rubin.
Tennessee is hosting VCU combo guard Terrence Hill Jr on a visit Thursday and is also pursuing Wake Forest guard Juke Harris.
With Washington in the fold, Tennessee currently has three scholarships to work with as it fills out its roster for next season. If Nate Ament declares for the NBA Draft then Tennessee will have four scholarships to work with.
