Jermaine Washington

To some, basketball is simply a sport, but for University of Bridgeport senior Jermaine Washington, basketball means much more.

Washington, who played guard on the UB men's basketball team the last three seasons, said he's been involved with basketball for as long as he can remember.

"My mother has pictures of me with basketballs, playing around on a small court, Fisher Price courts, back in the 90s," Washington said.

For Washington, who grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, basketball represented a form of escape from a tough environment.

 "Growing up in Philly, you learn a lot, on and off the streets," Washington said. "I think I used basketball as an outlet to keep myself focused and stay away from a lot of the stuff that goes on in the neighborhood. "

Basketball is also what brought Washington to UB. After graduating from Imhotep Institute Charter High School in Philadelphia, Washington went to Central Connecticut State University for his freshman year. However, Washington did not play much during that year, which he said was due to not fitting into CCSU Head Coach Howie Dickerman's coaching philosophy.

"As far as basketball-wise, he knew I could play and had the talent, I just didn't fit what he wanted to do," Washington said.

The lack of playing time and difference in philosophy caused Washington to transfer, and eventually, he settled on UB. One of the reasons he said he chose to come to UB was because of UB's smaller campus, which he says gave it a "family" setting.

Another reason was UB Head Coach Mike Ruane. Washington said Ruane allowed him to make mistakes during his tenure at UB, which he said he helped him grow up.

During Washington's career at UB, he averaged 10.5 points a game, had 235 assists, 224 rebounds, made 82% of his free throws, and shot 45% from the floor. In 2010, Washington averaged 13.3 points a game, and made first Team All Conference.

Numbers alone don't measure Washington's impact on the team though.

"Jermaine brought toughness and heart, and a chip on his shoulder attitude, like "We know we're better than you, we're going to play hard," Ruane said.

John "Doc Rock" Nicholas, Washington's favorite professor at UB, attended many of the home men's basketball games while Washington was at UB, and noted Washington's stoicism on and off the court.

"I don't think I have ever seen him lose control, scream, or in any other way exhibit negative behavior," Nicholas said. "His demeanor both in the classroom and on the basketball court appears to be the same. He always appears under control."

One of the things that Washington appreciated during his time at UB was the relationships he was able to build with each of his teammates.

"I gained a lot of knowledge from each player," Washington said. "I think that the way we interacted with each other was way different than the way we interacted with anyone else, because we knew we had to be with each other all year, so they grow on you."

Washington, a Mass Communications major with a focus in advertising, said he wants to play basketball overseas after he graduates. However if that doesn't work out, he said he wants to go to graduate school and further his education.

In the end, Washington hopes he will be able to continue his basketball career, because of the impact it has made on his life.

"Basketball means everything to me," Washington said. "I take basketball seriously, on and off the court, because it shapes you as a person, it makes you become a team player, competitive, loyal, and dedicated to what you do. "