TyTy Washington Jr. reflects on his two-way opportunity with the Clippers thus far

OCEANSIDE — The Clippers struggled to open the 2025-26 NBA season. After starting 6-21, something needed to change. Fortunately, that change was waiting for them in their G League affiliate, the San Diego Clippers.

TyTy Washington Jr. is a former Kentucky guard and a first-round draft pick in 2022 who found his way to the organization on a training camp invite before the season. The Clippers liked him enough to keep him on their G League roster. Washington Jr. went on an absolute tear to open the G League season, averaging over 26 points, six rebounds and six assists per game.

That culminated in a 36-point, 10-rebound outing during the NBA G League Winter Showcase, earning Washington Jr. a two-way contract with the Clippers. While he hasn’t actually carried the team back into Western Conference contention, his presence and rapport with the young guys help, and the Clippers being 11-3 since his signing is a nice coincidence.

“It means a lot (to be recognized by the Clippers). I feel like I owed it to myself more than to anyone else,” Washington Jr. said of his signing. “It just shows you’ve got to stay down before you come up, and when your number is called you need to be ready to take the opportunity.” In his first game back in San Diego against the Oklahoma City Blue, the guard finished with 14 points, six rebounds and seven assists in a 113-109 loss. “It feels good to be back. All the guys know it’s a grind,” he said. “Obviously we didn’t get the dub tonight, but overall just a good feeling to be back here at Frontwave.”

Now on a two-way contract, Washington Jr. has been able to gel with players like Jordan Miller and Kobe Sanders, while continuing to build relationships with Cam Christie and Yanic Konan Niederhouser. “I was with them early on in training camp, so just going back up to Los Angeles and seeing familiar faces — we push each other to be better every single day,” Washington Jr. said. Joining him in the matchup against Oklahoma City were Niederhouser, Kobe Brown on assignment, and Baldwin Jr. All finished in double figures.

For Washington Jr., this is the first step back into the NBA. He has a perfect example right in front of him in Miller. Last season, Miller began on a two-way contract and finished the year with a standard deal, only to return on another two-way to open this season. Since the midway point, Miller has solidified himself in the Clippers’ lineup and now looks like a candidate for a long-term contract.

Washington Jr. could very well play himself into that same position. Thus far, the Kentucky product has bet on himself and won. For the Clippers’ sake, they should hope that path continues.