Tennessee Basketball in the final seven for four-star SF Chris Washington Jr.

Tennessee Basketball is one of the final seven programs in the recruitment of 2026 four-star small forward Chris Washington Jr. The 6-foot-8, 185-pound prospect is the No. 20 overall player in the country in the Rivals rankings. 

The other six schools listed alongside the Vols were Alabama, Cincinnati, Auburn, Ole Miss, Villanova and Florida A&M. 

Washington is listed as a Gainesville, Fla., native, but attends Providence Christian Academy in Murfreesboro. He’s the No. 8 small forward in the 2026 class and is the No. 1 prospect in the state of Tennessee. 

‘I watch a lot of KD (Kevin Durant), he is my favorite player’

“I’m basically a big guard,” Washington told On3’s Jamie Shaw. “I’ve gotten a lot stronger since last season and my shot has gotten better. I watch a lot of KD (Kevin Durant), he is my favorite player; I like his pull-up, it’s just clean. I try to put that into my game, because I’m 6-foot-8, and I’m long, so I know it would make my game even more effective if I hit those.”

The Vols hosted Washington on an unofficial visit last November. He took an unofficial visit to Alabama in February and has an official visit scheduled for September. He’s also taken unofficial visits to Cincinnati and Florida State. 

“I want to go somewhere that feels like a family,” Washington told Shaw. “So, I’m going to be looking at that. And I want to play early, so I want to go somewhere I’ll play right away. How they play will be big for me, I like playing fast and playing on the wing. Location won’t matter to me as long as it feels like family there.”

Chris Washington Jr. ranked No. 20 in Rivals Industry Ranking

In the Rivals Industry Ranking, Washington is ranked No. 20 nationally, No. 7 at small forward and No. 1 in the state of Tennessee.

Shaw named Washington as one of the top performers at both the NBPA Top 100 camp in June and the UAA Next Session earlier this month.

“Chris Washington has maintained his status as a top-20 ranked player for On3 for a few cycles now,” Shaw wrote. “Watching him in this event, it is easy to see why he is thought of with such lofty regards. 

“Washington is listed in the 6-foot-8 range, he is a fluid athlete who has ball skills and touch. His game is still coming together, as he is tightening up his skill set. He averaged 15.2 points while giving some impressive highlight dunks.”