Here's why we should keep calm and be patient with Isaiah Washington
THE STAR PG WILL COME ALONG
Here at Gritty Vibes, we've been huge fans of the Jelly Movement since Isaiah Washington and Sid Wilson first stepped on the court as freshman teammates at St Rays. We've watched the legend grow year by year, seen him pack out Rucker Park and dominate at the Elite 24. We've heard "League Bound" and "One and done" shouted at him from the stands and documentary after documentary made about the movement. As proud as we were from a far, we couldn't help but be concerned on how big the hype machine was growing. The six one guard eventually chose Minnesota, where Head Coach Richard Pitino is quoted saying that wherever he goes in Minnesota gear, he gets Jellyfam yelled his way. Before Isaiah Washington was able to step on a college court, he was already stamped as the next great NYC point guard by some.
"Before Isaiah Washington was able to step on a college court, he was already stamped as the next great NYC point guard by some."
Fast forward to January 21st. In a game played at Madison Square Garden which many people visualized as his homecoming breakout, Washington plays just 5 minutes as his Gophers are slaughtered by Ohio State. We can already hear the murmurs from the Minnesota faithful. In this current one and done, ready made freshman era, we're here to tell you all to stay patient. Isaiah Washington will be a big time college star and pro. But for now, you guys are just going to have to let him be a freshman.
NYC has a way of building players up, putting them on a pedestal & them tearing them down with criticism. We can already hear commentators burning him each game. "Too much dribbling." "He's gonna have to learn how to play on this level." "Too much one on one." Thing is, these are things that hundreds of freshman go through each year. When he figures it out, it won't be long before he's praised for his flair and style of play by the very same detractors.
"For now, you guys are just going to have to let him be a freshman."
Kemba Walker came out of NYC as a McDonald's All American and had to come off the bench his first year as he learned under veteran leadership. We'd like to think Isaiah Washington will take the same road. As Frank Mason stars for the Gophers, Washington gets the opportunity to learn the college game and eventually dominate when his time comes. The flashes of brilliance and Jelly is there. Again, for now, let's appreciate him for what he is: A Freshman. Good luck to the Big Jelly the rest of the way. We may not show it with articles videos and documentaries thrown his way, but we will be watching.