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North Carolina's Jalen Washington commits to Vanderbilt

On3 imageby: Sam Gillenwater04/04/25samdg_33
Jalen Washington
Bob Donnan | Imagn Images

Jalen Washington spent the last three seasons at a basketball blue blood in Chapel Hill. He’ll now, ahead of his senior season and for his final year of eligibility, be transferring into the SEC.

Washington has committed to transfer to Vanderbilt from the NCAA Transfer Portal, On3 has learned. That comes per his representation at WEAVE in talking to On3’s Joe Tipton on Friday.

On3’s Jamie Shaw had noted two other programs in the Southeastern Conference would be interested in him in Mississippi State and Missouri. Washington also took a visit to Ohio State on April 1st.

Washington spent the past three seasons, and made 93 appearances with all 16 of his starts coming this past year, with North Carolina. As a Tar Heel, Washington averaged 4.2 points (60.8% FG) and 2.9 rebounds per game. That includes career-best stats as a junior this season at 5.7 points (59.4% FG), 4.2 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks.

Washington, a native of Gary, Indiana, played high school basketball at West Side. He was the No. 70 overall prospect there as a four-star in the 2022 cycle. He also rated as a Top-15 PF in the class and the No. 2 player out of the state behind only JJ Starling (Notre Dame, Syracuse). That’s according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Per the latest in On3’s 2025 Top Transfer Portal Players, Washington is the No. 121 overall player. He’s also rated as the No. 34 PF in the portal.

Washington is one of two players to have left during this portal cycle from UNC. Elliot Cadeau (No. 41 overall, No. 8 PG per On3) transferred as well with him having since committed to Michigan.

As for Vandy, Washington is the second transfer addition for the Commodores. They got a commitment from Mason Nicholson (Jacksonville State) around the same time on Friday. That’s with them having lost seven players from the program with Jason Edwards (Providence), Jaylen Carey, MJ Collins, Jordan Williams, JaQualon Roberts, Karris Bilal, and Alex Hemenway.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire.

The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.