Friday, 2022 power forward Jalen Washington committed to the University of North Carolina. The Gary West Side product took official visits to North Carolina, Stanford, and Purdue before making his college decision. He joins Seth Trimble and Will Shaver in North Carolina's 2022 recruiting class.

Michigan State, Indiana, Alabama, and others recruited Washington but were not in the mix down the stretch of his recruitment. In June, North Carolina was Washington's first official visit. He officially visited Stanford shortly after the trip to UNC.

In late June, UNC brought its entire coaching staff to a Gary West Side game at the Charlie Hughes Shootout. Assistant coach Sean May stayed the next day to watch Washington. At that point, it was clear that the Tar Heels were closing in on Washington.

Washington helped West Side to its strongest season since 2004-2005. In addition to the great regular season, he helped lead Gary West Side to the 4A semi-state, where the Cougars lost to Carmel in overtime. Indiana Basketball Source attended the regional and semi-state games of Washington. Here are the regional and semi-state recaps.

The six-foot-eight forward posted good three-point shooting, defensive rebounding, and shot-blocking numbers with Meanstreets this spring. He played the spring with a bulky knee brace, but he has downgraded the brace for June. He did miss six weeks of May and June with a knee strain. However, Washington looked fully healthy at the Charlie Hughes Shootout.

Washington's ability to pick and pop is a skill that will thrive at the next level. He has a pure release on his shot, and when he is playing with an athletic point guard like Trimble, Washington should get plenty of open looks from deep. 

Over the years, many notable Indiana post players have selected North Carolina. Eric Montross was a pivotal piece to the successful early 90's teams, including the 1993 championship. Sean May (Bloomington North) helped North Carolina win a national title in 2005. Tyler Zeller (Washington) was a freshman on North Carolina's 2009 national championship team. Washington hopes to continue the trend of Indiana natives winning national titles at UNC.