'Do something crazy': Jalen Washington records career-high 18 points against American

Jalen Washington watched a video early on Friday. 

It was a voiceover by Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards. The junior forward doesn't remember the title, but he thought about the video's message come game time against American later that night. It's simple in theory, but Washington repeated it to himself before tipoff. 

Have confidence. Put thought into action. He thought about it over and over again. 

Washington didn't want to be quiet anymore. 

"I did see it coming," first-year guard Drake Powell said. "He told me he was going to do something crazy coming out of the locker room."

The junior forward scored a career-high 18 points in 18 minutes against American in No. 10 UNC's 107-55 win over the Eagles on Friday night at the Dean E. Smith Center. Following two under-the-radar performances against Elon and No. 1 Kansas, in which he scored a combined 15 points, Washington tallied double figures for the first time this season, going 6-6 from the field and 6-7 from the line.

It's a breakthrough that's been brewing, but it's not a surprising one. Sophomore guard Elliot Cadeau believes Washington could have put up the same numbers last year, given the chance. The forward is simply "the guy" now.

"It kind of inspires me to see how he stayed down and just kept working until he got his chance," Cadeau said. "This year, he got his chance and he's taking advantage of it."

After former center Armando Bacot graduated last season, the role has been left to Washington for the first time in his career. He's coming out of the shadow of UNC's all-time rebounding and double-double leader. 

Washington averaged 8.4 minutes of playing time and 3.9 points per game last year. He never started before this season. 

To come into view, he couldn't continue being indifferent.

"Instead of being a passive guy, just kind of goes through the flow, [I am] forcing the issue on a lot of things [and] looking to have a bigger impact," Washington said. "That's what I feel like I had to do this year to help the team be successful."

Washington is naturally a subdued person. In the words of head coach Hubert Davis, he's a "really sweet, quiet giant."

But in a starting role under the coach, a player cannot be reserved. They have to be emotional. They have to be loud. Davis used to play with tears in his eyes at North Carolina, and he wants to see that same emotion from his roster. 

"Whatever your personality is off the court, that's awesome," Davis said. "That's the way that Jesus made you, and we celebrate that every day. But if you're a quiet person off the court, you cannot be a quiet person on the court. If you're a laid back, casual guy off the court, you cannot be a laid back, casual guy on the court. Your personality is gonna have to change."

With Edwards' voice echoing through his head, Washington opened the 64-point second half for the Tar Heels. After recovering the rebound, the junior pivoted, hitting a jumper from the left corner. Just over a minute later, fifth-year guard RJ Davis found Washington for an easy layup. 

12 points in, Washington started to feel it. 

With nine minutes left, Cadeau saw Washington inside. Surrounded by two defenders, he battled to put up a shot in the post, drawing a foul in the process. And-one. 

Washington stomped to the North Carolina bench. Eyes wide. Mouth open.

A little over a minute later, Cadeau found Washington again, but this time it was for a two-handed slam. Cadeau jumped up with him. Washington started beating his chest. He hit himself on the head.

Inspired by former pro Kevin Garnett — one of Washington's favorite players — the celebration has become natural.

"Honestly, I don't know what else to do," Washington said. "I'm not like a guard or anything. They get to do all the cool stuff, so I just do something crazy. It makes my teammates laugh and it gets them hype too." 

According to junior guard Seth Trimble, the forward has become confident and decisive in all his moves. Washington knows what he wants. He's demanding the ball. 

"On the court, I want the one that's hitting himself in the head," Davis said. "I want that all the time."

And although Washington isn't playing with tears in his eyes yet, he's stepping out of the shadows for the first time at North Carolina.

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