SAN FRANCISCO - Sun Devil Men's Basketball has two representatives on Pac-12 award lists as Desmond Cambridge Jr. has been named to the All-Pac-12 Second Team and Warren Washington has earned recognition as an honorable mention for the All-Defensive Team, according to an announcement by the league office Tuesday morning.
Cambridge Jr. lands on the Second Team after leading the Pac-12 in Player of the Week Awards, as he is one of only two players in the conference that was recognized three times. The only other player to do so is the Pac-12 Player of the Year, Jaime Jaquez Jr. (UCLA), who is also a candidate for the Oscar Robertson Trophy and the Wooden Award.
"I'm extremely happy for Desmond to make an All-Pac-12 team," said Arizona State Head Coach Bobby Hurley. "It is nice to see him recognized as one of the premier players in our league. He's made so many big plays for us on both ends for the court this year while also being a leader in the locker room. I am excited to see how he finishes his career as a Sun Devil."
Cambridge Jr. becomes the seventh Sun Devil named to an All-Pac-12 team under coach Hurley.
He is the first Sun Devil to win Pac-12 Player of the Week three times in the same season since Carrick Felix also earned three weekly honors during the 2012-13 season. Dating back to when the award was first given out in 1984, Cambridge Jr. is only the fourth Sun Devil to be named Pac-12 Player of the Week three times in a season. He is now tied for third in program history with three career Pac-12 weekly conference honors despite spending only one season in Tempe, trailing only Eddie House (5) and Ike Diogu (4).
In 29 games played during the regular season, Cambridge Jr. has been indispensable in the biggest moments for ASU. He is the leading scorer for the Maroon and Gold, averaging 13.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.
Cambridge Jr. has 26 straight contests with a made three-pointer, the most in the Pac-12. He is the just the fourth Sun Devil in the last 20 seasons to record at least one made three pointer in at least 25 consecutive games, joining Jonathan Giling (29, 2012-13) Christian Polk (28, 2006-07) and DJ Horne (26, 2021-22).
In league play, he has the highest +/- on Arizona State at +43. Additionally, in ASU's nine quadrant one games, Cambridge Jr. has a +/- of +38.
On 21 occasions this season, Cambridge Jr. has scored in double figures including six outings dropping at least 20 points. ASU is 14-7 when Cambridge Jr. scores at least 10 points and in a key stretch, he closed the regular season by tallying double-figure scoring seven consecutive times.
He has also provided Sun Devil nation with some historic and iconic shots that changed the trajectory of individual contests and the ASU season.
Cambridge Jr. stamped his name into one of the most historic rivalries in college basketball when he sank a halfcourt heave and the No. 7 Arizona Wildcats in 2.3 seconds at the Mckale Memorial Center. He hit two threes and scored eight points in the final three minutes as part of ASU's 21-10 scoring edge in the final 6:30 of regulation, securing a signature win for Sun Devil Men's Basketball.
The moment was SportsCenter's No. 1 play of the night, as called by Tim Healey and Kyle Dodd on the Sun Devil Radio Network.
It was not the first time Cambridge Jr.'s shot making had buried the opposition. Arizona State led Creighton by six at the half on a neutral floor in Las Vegas, before the Bluejays roared back and embarked on a 21-point swing that included a 16-0 run in the second half with Cambridge Jr. on the bench due to foul trouble.
Following the Creighton run, and with ASU down 11, Cambridge. Jr. scored 12 straight Sun Devil points - all on three pointers - including two triples in less than 30 seconds.
Sun Devil Men's Basketball won the contest, with Cambridge Jr. scoring his game-high 19 points in a mere 18 minutes. It was the eighth win in a row for ASU and one of a team-high 11 times that he led the Sun Devils in scoring this season. Cambridge Jr. has also led Arizona State in assists four times and steals in seven contests, both second highest in the category for the Sun Devils.
"A well deserved honor for Warren to be recognized with the best defenders in our league," said Hurley. "He has been a difference maker for us protecting the rim and impacting shots. His activity on the glass has also been a key element to our defensive unit. We expect him to have a major impact in the Pac-12 Tournament."
The seven-footer safeguarded the metrically second-best defense in the conference. With Washington in the middle, the Sun Devils had the fifth-best two point percentage defense and the 12th best field-goal percentage defense nationally. Both were second in the Pac-12 behind Southern California.
His 1.79 blocks per game rank 40th nationally and higher than two of the three centers who earned a selection to the Pac-12 All-Defensive team.
Being the tallest player on the roster, Washington has earned the Sun Devils the fourth-best field goal percentage defense nationally on shots at the rim, best among Pac-12 teams.
Washington tied his season high with four rejections in a crucial home win against Utah on Feb. 18. His defense led to stellar offense as he put up 18 points in the win. Washington had a game-high +/- of +10 against the Utes.
He also had a +/- of 12 - good for second on the squad - in ASU's home victory over the Washington Huskies. The win capped a four-game winning streak, ASU's best in league play this season. Washington had 12 rebounds and seven in the first half for the Sun Devils.
In that effort, he was matched up against Braxton Meah defensively. The Husky center was less than 48 hours removed from becoming the first center all season to out-rebound Arizona's Oumar Ballo, but was stifled by Washington and the Sun Devil defense. Meah was held to just four rebounds, which ended up being his second lowest in conference play.
"It really lights a fire under the group and when you know you have that type of protection there, if there is a mistake he can erase it," said Hurley after the home win against the Huskies on Jan. 4. "It gets the crowd involved and the energy on our team going. He's kind of the anchor of all of our defense in the back."
Washington has two double-doubles as a Sun Devil, both coming on the road and with more rebounds than points. At Texas Southern, Washington had 14 rebounds and 10 points. In the regular season finale at USC, he snagged 11 boards and had 10 points. He has led the Sun Devils in rebounding 17 times this season.
Arizona State is 19-8-4 against their opponents in the paint this season with Washington in the middle. Additionally, ASU was 12-5-3 in league play, including a split with USC in the regular season finale.
Cambridge Jr, Washington and Sun Devil Men's Basketball open the 2023 Pac-12 Tournament Wednesday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas against Oregon State. Tip is set for 9:30 p.m. MST. Ted Robinson and Bill Walton will have the call on Pac-12 Network. The game can also be heard on ESPN 620 (KTAR-AM) with Tim Healey and Kyle Dodd on the call.
Cambridge Jr. lands on the Second Team after leading the Pac-12 in Player of the Week Awards, as he is one of only two players in the conference that was recognized three times. The only other player to do so is the Pac-12 Player of the Year, Jaime Jaquez Jr. (UCLA), who is also a candidate for the Oscar Robertson Trophy and the Wooden Award.
"I'm extremely happy for Desmond to make an All-Pac-12 team," said Arizona State Head Coach Bobby Hurley. "It is nice to see him recognized as one of the premier players in our league. He's made so many big plays for us on both ends for the court this year while also being a leader in the locker room. I am excited to see how he finishes his career as a Sun Devil."
Cambridge Jr. becomes the seventh Sun Devil named to an All-Pac-12 team under coach Hurley.
He is the first Sun Devil to win Pac-12 Player of the Week three times in the same season since Carrick Felix also earned three weekly honors during the 2012-13 season. Dating back to when the award was first given out in 1984, Cambridge Jr. is only the fourth Sun Devil to be named Pac-12 Player of the Week three times in a season. He is now tied for third in program history with three career Pac-12 weekly conference honors despite spending only one season in Tempe, trailing only Eddie House (5) and Ike Diogu (4).
In 29 games played during the regular season, Cambridge Jr. has been indispensable in the biggest moments for ASU. He is the leading scorer for the Maroon and Gold, averaging 13.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.
Cambridge Jr. has 26 straight contests with a made three-pointer, the most in the Pac-12. He is the just the fourth Sun Devil in the last 20 seasons to record at least one made three pointer in at least 25 consecutive games, joining Jonathan Giling (29, 2012-13) Christian Polk (28, 2006-07) and DJ Horne (26, 2021-22).
In league play, he has the highest +/- on Arizona State at +43. Additionally, in ASU's nine quadrant one games, Cambridge Jr. has a +/- of +38.
On 21 occasions this season, Cambridge Jr. has scored in double figures including six outings dropping at least 20 points. ASU is 14-7 when Cambridge Jr. scores at least 10 points and in a key stretch, he closed the regular season by tallying double-figure scoring seven consecutive times.
He has also provided Sun Devil nation with some historic and iconic shots that changed the trajectory of individual contests and the ASU season.
Cambridge Jr. stamped his name into one of the most historic rivalries in college basketball when he sank a halfcourt heave and the No. 7 Arizona Wildcats in 2.3 seconds at the Mckale Memorial Center. He hit two threes and scored eight points in the final three minutes as part of ASU's 21-10 scoring edge in the final 6:30 of regulation, securing a signature win for Sun Devil Men's Basketball.
The moment was SportsCenter's No. 1 play of the night, as called by Tim Healey and Kyle Dodd on the Sun Devil Radio Network.
The CBS footage with commentary from @TimHealeyASU and @K_Dodd3 on @SunDevilRadio -- great call, solid analysis and a touch of foreshadowing. pic.twitter.com/LCBtYJ6ExI
— Vince Marotta (@Vincemarotta) February 25, 2023
It was not the first time Cambridge Jr.'s shot making had buried the opposition. Arizona State led Creighton by six at the half on a neutral floor in Las Vegas, before the Bluejays roared back and embarked on a 21-point swing that included a 16-0 run in the second half with Cambridge Jr. on the bench due to foul trouble.
Following the Creighton run, and with ASU down 11, Cambridge. Jr. scored 12 straight Sun Devil points - all on three pointers - including two triples in less than 30 seconds.
How did he make that!?!?!? ??@dezcambridgejr hits back-to-back threes at a crucial time!
— Sun Devil MBB (@SunDevilHoops) December 13, 2022
?? @FS1
?? https://t.co/1KZO9Zi3pd pic.twitter.com/YKxuv71q8a
Sun Devil Men's Basketball won the contest, with Cambridge Jr. scoring his game-high 19 points in a mere 18 minutes. It was the eighth win in a row for ASU and one of a team-high 11 times that he led the Sun Devils in scoring this season. Cambridge Jr. has also led Arizona State in assists four times and steals in seven contests, both second highest in the category for the Sun Devils.
While Cambridge Jr. devastated opponents from the wing, Washington has anchored a nationally elite Sun Devil defense.Welcome to the @dezcambridgejr takeover!
— Sun Devil MBB (@SunDevilHoops) December 13, 2022
?? @FS1
?? https://t.co/1KZO9Zi3pd pic.twitter.com/z2BqcQjDmF
"A well deserved honor for Warren to be recognized with the best defenders in our league," said Hurley. "He has been a difference maker for us protecting the rim and impacting shots. His activity on the glass has also been a key element to our defensive unit. We expect him to have a major impact in the Pac-12 Tournament."
The seven-footer safeguarded the metrically second-best defense in the conference. With Washington in the middle, the Sun Devils had the fifth-best two point percentage defense and the 12th best field-goal percentage defense nationally. Both were second in the Pac-12 behind Southern California.
His 1.79 blocks per game rank 40th nationally and higher than two of the three centers who earned a selection to the Pac-12 All-Defensive team.
Being the tallest player on the roster, Washington has earned the Sun Devils the fourth-best field goal percentage defense nationally on shots at the rim, best among Pac-12 teams.
In terms of erasing the opposition, Washington paced ASU in blocks 20 times in the 28 regular season games he played.Doing it on both ends ??@5warrenw hits a jumper then gets the block
— Sun Devil MBB (@SunDevilHoops) January 22, 2023
?? https://t.co/pxrNdCe9ob pic.twitter.com/nS79erlPXR
Washington tied his season high with four rejections in a crucial home win against Utah on Feb. 18. His defense led to stellar offense as he put up 18 points in the win. Washington had a game-high +/- of +10 against the Utes.
He also had a +/- of 12 - good for second on the squad - in ASU's home victory over the Washington Huskies. The win capped a four-game winning streak, ASU's best in league play this season. Washington had 12 rebounds and seven in the first half for the Sun Devils.
In that effort, he was matched up against Braxton Meah defensively. The Husky center was less than 48 hours removed from becoming the first center all season to out-rebound Arizona's Oumar Ballo, but was stifled by Washington and the Sun Devil defense. Meah was held to just four rebounds, which ended up being his second lowest in conference play.
"It really lights a fire under the group and when you know you have that type of protection there, if there is a mistake he can erase it," said Hurley after the home win against the Huskies on Jan. 4. "It gets the crowd involved and the energy on our team going. He's kind of the anchor of all of our defense in the back."
Washington has two double-doubles as a Sun Devil, both coming on the road and with more rebounds than points. At Texas Southern, Washington had 14 rebounds and 10 points. In the regular season finale at USC, he snagged 11 boards and had 10 points. He has led the Sun Devils in rebounding 17 times this season.
Arizona State is 19-8-4 against their opponents in the paint this season with Washington in the middle. Additionally, ASU was 12-5-3 in league play, including a split with USC in the regular season finale.
Cambridge Jr, Washington and Sun Devil Men's Basketball open the 2023 Pac-12 Tournament Wednesday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas against Oregon State. Tip is set for 9:30 p.m. MST. Ted Robinson and Bill Walton will have the call on Pac-12 Network. The game can also be heard on ESPN 620 (KTAR-AM) with Tim Healey and Kyle Dodd on the call.