Hoops Habit
Fansided

Portland Trail Blazers: 25 Best Players To Play For The Trail Blazers

By Phil Watson

Oct 29, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; A general view during a game between the Portland Trail Blazers and Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; A general view during a game between the Portland Trail Blazers and Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 26
Next
LANDOVER, MD - CIRCA 1980: Kermit Washington #42 of the Portland Trail Blazers leaps to block the pass of Kevin Porter #1 of the Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1980 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Washington played for the Trail Blazers from 1979-82. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kermit Washington; Kevin Porter
LANDOVER, MD – CIRCA 1980: Kermit Washington #42 of the Portland Trail Blazers leaps to block the pass of Kevin Porter #1 of the Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1980 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Washington played for the Trail Blazers from 1979-82. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kermit Washington; Kevin Porter /

Kermit Washington came to the Portland Trail Blazers as part of the compensation package awarded to the team after veteran free agent Bill Walton signed with the San Diego Clippers, along with Kevin Kunnert and a first-round pick in 1980.

Washington was an All-Star in 1980 for the Trail Blazers and was a two-time All-Defensive pick before his knees and back became too painful and he retired in 1982.

POR_20_WASHINGTON
POR_20_WASHINGTON /

In three seasons in Portland, Washington averaged 11.6 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.0 steals in 30.0 minutes per game, shooting .556/0-for-4/.633.

Washington was an All-American as a senior at American University, where he averaged 20.8 points and 20.4 rebounds per game and was the fifth overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1973 NBA Draft.

He is most well-known for his devastating punch that severely injured Houston Rockets forward Rudy Tomjanovich in 1977.

While serving a 60-day suspension, he was traded to the Boston Celtics in December 1977.

Washington was later traded to the Clippers 1978.

In November 1987, the Blazers traded his rights to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for a third-round pick in 1988 so Washington could attempt a comeback.

He was waived in November 1987 after playing in just six games and went back into retirement.

Next: Blazers Score With Another 2nd Round Gem

Home/Portland Trail Blazers