After four seasons in the NBA, a former first-round draft pick is moving overseas.
TyTy Washington Jr., the No. 29 pick of the 2022 NBA draft, has signed with French club LDLC ASVEL of the LNB Elite and EuroLeague.
The club is owned by former San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker, though they recently faced financial issues.
“LDLC ASVEL is pleased to announce the signing of Tyty Washington to its roster,” the club said in their official statement. “At 24, the American point guard joins Villeurbanne with the ambition of taking his career to the next level and experiencing European e-basketball, the Euroleague. Creative, explosive, and possessing excellent passing skills, he will bring his offensive talent and ability to orchestrate the Villeurbanne team’s offense.”
“After his experiences in the NBA and G League, he arrives at LDLC ASVEL with the desire to continue his development at the highest level. A modern point guard, capable of creating his own shot as well as highlighting his teammates, Washington also possesses a real ability to speed up the game and take responsibility in crucial moments. He will wear number 3.”
ASVEL’s Financial Problems
With an initial budget of €59 million at the start of the offseason, ASVEL faced problems when they failed to secure more than half of it from an investor, as per EuroHoops.
The figure was reduced to just €24 million, which led to some failed transfers.
Nevertheless, ASVEL was still able to secure players like TyTy Washington Jr. He will play alongside multiple former NBA players at ASVEL, including Patty Mills, Jae Crowder, Joel Bolomboy, Yves Pons and Tremont Waters. They are looking to win their first French League title since the 2021-22 season.
ASVEL also plays in the EuroLeague, but they finished last in the league table with just eight wins and 30 losses.
TyTy Washington Jr.’s NBA Career
GettyTyTy Washington Jr. #0 of the Houston Rockets in action against the Miami Heat at Toyota Center on December 15, 2022 in Houston, Texas.
After one season at Kentucky, TyTy Washington Jr. declared for the 2022 NBA draft. He was once considered a potential lottery pick but fell to the No. 29 pick on draft night.
Washington was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies, but he was immediately traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. He was traded again to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Wendell Moore Jr.
In his rookie season in Houston, Washington averaged 4.7 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 31 games, which included two starts.
The Rockets traded him to the Atlanta Hawks as part of a five-team trade. He never played a game for the Hawks since they traded him four days later to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
After a month with the Thunder, Washington was waived and became a free agent. He signed a two-way contract with the Milwaukee Bucks, making 11 appearances during the 2023-24 season.
Washington then played for the Phoenix Suns in the 2024-25 season and the Los Angeles Clippers last season. He primarily played in the NBA G League, averaging 21.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.9 assists with the San Diego Clippers last season.
Former First-Round Pick Officially Leaves the NBA After 4 Seasons