AFA: Washington quickly adjusts to new role on court

During Air Force’s past two games, junior Evan Washington has looked like a veteran point guard, distributing 12 assists and committing only three turnovers while playing all but 13 minutes.

But Washington is a neophyte in the role. He played shooting guard in high school and was an off guard in his first two seasons at the academy, with Anwar Johnson directing the offense and handling the majority of the ball-handling last season and Tim Anderson doing it two seasons ago.

But it’s Washington’s job now, and he's handling it well. Heading into Saturday’s game at Missouri State of the Missouri Valley Conference, he's made a team-high 20 assists – Grant Parker, with 12, is the only other Falcon with more than eight – against 11 turnovers (five came in the team's lone loss to Northern Colorado).

“I feel very comfortable with it,” Washington said of directing the offense and handling “90 percent” of the ball-handling. “It’s something I’ve been kind of watching other guys do, and it’s kind of come natural so far.”

Perhaps it has felt natural because of what Washington did in the offseason. He worked hard in the weight room and on the court – practicing dribbling with his off (left) hand and bringing the ball up the floor against pressure.

“I think the biggest thing was he improved in the strength area with his ball-handling,” coach Jeff Reynolds said. “He’s gotten stronger, he pounds the ball harder, he’s more confident in his ability because of strength.”

Not coincidentally, Washington is having his best season scoring, averaging 14.6 points, the second best mark on the team. He’s shooting 62.9 percent from the floor (the best among players who have taken more than three shots) and has made 76.3 percent of his team-high 38 free-throw attempts.

And he’s given Air Force a reliable option when it needs a bucket with his ability to drive the ball into traffic, elevate, adjust his body in the air and score in the paint or with a mid-range jumper. That isn’t something new for Washington.

“That’s God-given,” Reynolds said.