By: Carolyne Harris
KENNESAW, Ga. - Darius Washington III, known as D3, has begun his collegiate career playing his own style of basketball, but the game has never been foreign to him.
The freshman guard from Orlando, Florida, is the son of Bianca Brunetti and Darius Washington Jr., who played in the NBA with the San Antonio Spurs and in the D-League with the Austin Toros. Darius found his love for the game at the early age of five. His parents were instrumental in his growth as a player. His mother introduced him to basketball, and his father watched him fall in love with the game. As he got older, Darius realized who his father is in the basketball world and began taking the game more seriously. When he was younger, he wanted to be just like his father, and that feeling is still alive and burning within him today.
In his middle school years, Darius worked hard and became an excellent player by his sophomore year of high school. He always wanted to play at the very highest level he could, and soon realized college was the next step needed to reach that goal.
He began to stand out to recruits, and one thing about his game defined him more than anything else: his ability to make plays.
"Just being an overall player that can do a little bit of everything. Really, my play-making and getting downhill. Opening up for my teammates and being able to knock down shots," says Washington III.
Darius' family has always pushed him to be the best player he can be. His family's involvement in his basketball career began when they simply started taking him to practice at a young age. Even today, his father contributes so much knowledge to Darius' game, especially in his freshman season. Washington Jr. talked to his son about when he was a freshman in college and how he navigated all of it. He continues to lead Darius and is by his side every step of the way.
Darius says that he is growing into his own player and does not mimic his game after his father.
"I am a play maker," Darius says. "I am a pass first type of guy. He would be aggressive and was more of an attack guard. I want to get my teammates involved."
His favorite part about playing basketball is simply winning. He always strives to win, and he brings that mindset with him to Kennesaw State. Head Coach Antione Pettway says that having a winning mindset is something he can also identify with.
"He is so talented. He has great size for his position and has that internal confidence. When it is time to win, he does not ever back down. He is a guy that is not afraid to go make the play and he is young. He is learning but you see the drive; you see the will to win inside of him, and that is extremely important to me," Pettway says.
Playing professionally has been a part of Darius' plan ever since he was a little kid. He loves watching the Timberwolves because of Anthony Edwards, and being from Orlando, his favorite team to follow is the Orlando Magic.
Darius is a young player, but he has a lot on his mind that he wants to accomplish in his time here at Kennesaw State. He wants to bring home another banner, win a Conference USA Championship, go play in March Madness, and, simply, to keep winning. He plans to work hard to become an elite player so he can make it to the pros just like his father.
