George Washington III, former Ohio State recruit, commits to Michigan

George Washington III, a senior at Chaminade Julienne High School, announced his verbal commitment to the Michigan Wolverines basketball program on Tuesday.

Washington first committed to Ohio State last fall but reopened his recruitment in September. He then listed a new final five college choices: Dayton; Louisville; Virginia; Michigan; and Wake Forest.

In recent weeks, Washington took official visits to Wake Forest and Michigan.

“I chose Michigan because I couldn’t pass up the opportunity of playing under someone like Juwan Howard,” Washington told 247Sports.com. “He played there for the Fab Five which is probably one of my favorite teams ever to hear and watch their story. He cares about the program and knows what it feels like to be a player. I think the brand of Michigan is something you can’t ignore. They’re one of the top basketball universities and legacies of college basketball. On top of that, the culture they have over there just fits me. What they’re about, I’m about and I can’t wait.”

Explore» EARLIER COVERAGE: Chaminade Julienne basketball team getting boost from Washington and his two younger brothers

Washington is the son of George Washington, a first-year assistant coach on Tamika Williams-Jeter’s staff at Dayton. Washington was in the stands at UD Arena while his dad’s team practiced in front of fans at the Red & Blue Game on Oct. 15. At the same game, another 2023 recruit, Jaiun Simon, sat behind the Dayton bench. He committed to the Flyers last week.

Washington ranks 54th in the class of 2023, according to ESPN. He’s 77th, according to Rivals.com. He’s 106th in the 247Sports.com rankings. He’s No. 93 in the On3.com rankings.

Chaminade Julienne opens the season Nov. 26 against Trotwood-Madison. Its schedule includes a game against Pace Academy (Ga.) in the Flyin’ to the Hoop in January.