Underneath Kobe Bryant's retired jerseys at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, the former Laker's nephew
Jett Washington of
Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.) put up 33 points Saturday in the Coastal Catholic Classic.
Kobe spent his entire career playing for the Los Angeles Lakers and won five NBA championships inside Crypto.com Arena, formerly known as Staples Center.
The shots for Washington were falling in an 82-81 loss to
Archbishop Riordan (San Francisco) and when the final buzzer sounded, the sophomore had 33 points to his credit – matching the jersey his uncle wore during his senior year at
Lower Merion (Ardmore, Pa.).
Bryant wore No. 24 during his first three years of high school but changed his number to 33 his senior year to honor his father Joe, who wore that number at
John Bartram (Philadelphia, Pa.) before he embarked on a 606-game NBA career from 1975-83.
Jett Washington of Bishop Gorman stands in the center circle at Crypto.com Arena, the venue his uncle helped make famous. (Photo: Gregory Fiore)
After leading Lower Merion to a state title as a senior in 1996, Bryant was drafted by Charlotte before being traded to the Lakers.
Winning a state title is also the goal for Washington and his teammates at Bishop Gorman. The Gaels are 13-3 and have won six of their past seven games.
As a defensive back for the Bishop Gorman football team, Washington recorded 37 tackles and two interceptions. The Gaels were crowned MaxPreps National Champions after going 12-0 and winning the Class 5A Division 1 state championship in Nevada.
Washington was a varsity football player as a freshman in 2022 but emerged as a defensive force this season. In the third game of the season against then No. 5 Central (Miami, Fla.), he recorded five tackles in an epic 39-35 win that was delayed nearly two hours by lightning.
A week later against Centennial (Corona, Calif.), Washington forced a fumble in the first half and had six tackles.
Washington is regarded as the top football prospect in Nevada for the Class of 2026. He has received eight offers, including Georgia and Washington.
Seemingly every sport runs in Washington's family. His mother Sharia Washington was an all-conference volleyball player at Temple. His father Jerrod Washington played college football at Virginia, leading the Cavaliers in rushing as a senior before joining the New England Patriots following the 1994 NFL Draft.
Washington is averaging 16 points and seven rebounds for the Gaels, who continue their hoops season Wednesday against Durango (Las Vegas), the team that knocked Bishop Gorman out of last season's playoffs.
