Tennessee basketball has added another commitment to its 2026 high school recruiting class. On Thursday, four-star and in-state prospect Chris Washington Jr. picked the Vols over Villanova, Auburn, Ole Miss and USC.
Washington is a top-50 recruit, ranked as the No. 43 player in the country, according to 247 Composite. He is the No. 17 small forward and No. 1 player from the state of Tennessee.
The 6-foot-9 forward seemed to be destined to square off against the Vols instead of joining them, though. Out of Murfreesboro at Providence Christian Academy, Washington committed to UT’s arch rival, Alabama, in September of 2025 following an official visit. However, he backed out of the pledge this past November.
Washington will now join a trio of Tennessee signees in the 2026 class. This features four-star wing Ralph Scott, four-star wing Manny Green and three-star point guard Marquis Clark.
UT also holds the commitment of four players with the transfer portal as it looks to retool its roster. This features Notre Dame wing Jalen Haralson, Loyola (Chicago) forward Miles Rubin, Cal guard Dai Dai Ames and Belmont guard Tyler Lundblade.
What exactly is Tennessee getting in its new freshman, Washington, though? It doesn’t take long watching his film to see what he brings to the table. Along with a smooth jumpshot, he’s shown off the ability to throw down monster dunks and attack the rim. He should bring instant offense with a defensive upside due to his athleticism.
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Here are Washington’s highlights throughout his high school career:
