MANILA, Philippines – PBA player update: After 17 years in the PBA, Jay Washington will relocate his professional career to Japan. 

On Thursday, it was revealed that Washington, 40, had signed a player contract with the Ryukyu Golden Kings of the Japan B. League.

Washington, a four-time PBA champion, finished last in the Governor’s Cup last year while playing for the Blackwater Bossing. 

He was chosen by the Air21 Express with the first overall pick in the 2005 PBA draft, although he spent his first three PBA seasons with the TNT Tropang Giga team, which was once known as the Talk ‘N Text Phone Pals.

Washington also participated in games for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, GlobalPort Batang Pier, and San Miguel Beermen. 

He also appeared on the PBA Mythical First Team three times. 

The organization claims that Washington will serve as a backup bigman for Hugh Watanabe while he recovers from an injury. 

The Ryukyu Golden Kings just lost to the Utsonomiya Brex for second place in the 2021–22 B. Championship of the league’s season. 

Washington joins his new basketball/league club with excitement. 

Although the Kings’ 2021–22 season was successful, he added, “we have even higher ambitions to attain and we’re delighted to work towards them this season.”

He stated, “I will play hard with the determination to dedicate myself. All in the pursuit of being a champion. I am delighted to play for such a fantastic organization. 

Washington will play professional basketball in Japan alongside nine other Filipino athletes. He is the fifth ex-PBA player to wear a B’s uniform. League group.

Jay Washington is not the first, and definitely not the only one currently playing for the said Japanese league. There he joins former PBA players who have relocated to Japan include Kiefer Ravena (Shiga Lakes), Matthew Wright (Kyoto Hannaryz), Bobby Ray Parks (Nagoya Diamond Dolphins), and Greg Slaughter (Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka).

The Ryukyu team, led by local star Keita Imamura, former NBA center Jack Cooley, and longtime PBA import Allen Durham, posted a league-best 49-7 record. Despite being over 40 years old, the 6-foot-7 Fil-Am veteran can still provide experienced leadership and play spot minutes.

Despite having the best record among the B’s 22 teams. However, the Utsunomiya Brex defeated the League’s Golden Kings 2-0 in the finals last May. 

Other than participating in the new B. Washington will get the opportunity to play against TNT Tropang Giga, the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup runners-up, during the East Asia Super League season that begins in October. Ryukyu will also take part in that season. 

At the 2021 PBA Governors’ Cup, where Washington last appeared for the Blackwater Bossing, he averaged 1.6 points, with 12.8 minutes per game, 1.8 rebounds, and 0.6 blocks.

Short bio on Jay Washington

A professional basketball player for the Ryukyu Golden Kings of the Japanese B.League, Anthony Jay Washington is Filipino-American. 

40 years old and born on November 10, 1981 in San Antonio 

2.01 meters tall 

99.8 kilograms 

College education: Eckerd 

Ryukyu Golden Kings, 2022-present 

2005 PBA Draft: Round 1; First Overall Pick