By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium
While many student-athletes focus solely on their studies and sports, Anthony Washington Jr. has a different reality. Washington, a 6’6″ small forward for Roosevelt High School, juggles a demanding basketball and academic schedule while also managing a more personal challenge – supporting his 13-year-old sister, Eniyah, who is battling cancer for the second time.
Eniyah was initially diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia when she was 5 years old and overcame that hard-fought battle. When the cancer returned last August, Eniyah was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, which required a bone marrow transplant. Washington’s father, Anthony Washington Sr., said his son took the diagnosis really hard, especially since it happened again.
“Anthony has stepped up in a big way, even staying overnight with her at times. The emotional toll has been heavy, and there have been moments when he has seemed drained,” said Washington Sr. “Basketball has provided him with an outlet this year. More than anything, he has been there for his sister and his three other siblings, which is what matters most to me. Anthony is a good kid, a great son, and a solid oldest brother.”
Washington’s mother, Grace Tuss, said that Eniyah, even though she has a different mother, is like a daughter to her, and the news of her cancer coming back has been hard on everyone. However, Tuss said that Washington surprised her with how well he was dealing with it all and using it to fuel him on the court rather than break him down.
“This is his sister on his father’s side, but we are very close,” says Tuss. “As a parent, you don’t really know how your kid is going to deal with something like this. She got diagnosed again right before the season, and I was really worried for him because it is his senior year of basketball, and it would either motivate him or shut him down,” Tuss said.
“I go to stay with her as well, but I am an adult, and it is horrible for me to see all of the children in the hospital,” she added. “So, to have my son be able to do that and deal with it all in the most positive way, I mean, that you really can expect a young man to, has been amazing.”
Roosevelt Head Basketball Coach Chase Young is impressed with Washington’s ability to remain focused and strong both on and off the court.
“Unless you are going through the same situation, it’s impossible for others to know what it’s like to be in his shoes, and it does weigh heavily on him,” Young said. “We check in with him quite often about it, and he is very honest and shares his feelings, which is more than what I would be able to do at his age.”
“Anthony has such a big heart and just wants people to be happy,” he added.
“Watching him deal with it in such a positive way, and honing all that energy into the basketball court, has been amazing. Seeing him deal with such a big life thing in such a big year has surprised me. He stays at the hospital with her on school nights and even goes after his games, so it has been heavy on him,” Tuss said.
Washington admits that it’s been tough, but he has been able to keep everything in perspective.
“It has been challenging to focus on my sister and school at the same time. It truly is a bit of a struggle for me,” says Washington. “I do visit her and spend some nights with her, but it hasn’t really affected my grades.”
Washington, who was named Co-Defensive Player of the Year in Metro Sound and earned First-Team All-Metro Sound honors last season, helped lead Roosevelt to a 21-4 record last year and is a major part of the Roughriders’ success.
“He is a crowd favorite who dominates the boards and attacks non-stop,” says Young. “He is one of the most improved players and loves going up against players that are bigger than him. He brings a lot of intensity and enthusiasm to our team.”
According to Young, Washington led Roosevelt in rebounds last year, which comes as no surprise to his father.
“When he is locked in, he rebounds with intensity and creates his own shot,” says Washington Sr., a former standout basketball player at Garfield High School and Portland State University. “He has a hint of Cedric Ceballos in his game. He is very versatile and capable of guarding multiple positions on the court. His low-post game is strong, and he has developed a nice jump hook. Anthony’s ability in transition is solid. He has improved his perimeter scoring, and I appreciate his vision and passing ability.”
“He plays so much like his dad. It is just weird to me because sometimes I feel like I am watching his dad again,” says Tuss. “He doesn’t have all of his height [that his dad has], but he is very strong and plays just as hard and as well as kids taller than him. He is such an unselfish player and is always looking for shots for the other kids to share the ball instead of taking the shot himself.”
Washington, who grew up in Oregon, relocated to Seattle with his family in the sixth grade. His father played for Garfield alongside current Head Coach Brandon Roy before beginning his collegiate career in 2002 at the University of Washington and transferring to Portland State. After leaving Portland State, he played professionally overseas and built a legacy for himself in the basketball world. Because they share the same name, Washington Sr. wanted his son to create a name for himself rather than live under his shadow, which ultimately led to enrolling at Roosevelt rather than Garfield.
“His father and I both have always tried to do a really good job of not making him feel like he has to live up to his dad’s name because we have always wanted him to create a name for himself,” said Tuss. “I am glad he is at Roosevelt because his dad didn’t want him to be living in his shadow. His [dad’s] pictures are all over the Garfield hallway. Everybody knows him, so allowing him to create his own was important to us.”
Washington Sr. agrees and has pushed his son to create his own legacy, not only in basketball but in life.
“When I saw that he was creating his path, working incredibly hard, towards the end of his sophomore year, I told him he needed to take the name. He needed to establish himself on his terms,” Washington Sr. said. “There were thoughts about him attending Garfield. I thought it would have been cool, but it never materialized. I didn’t want to push my legacy onto him more than it was because we already shared a name.”
“The decision to stay at Roosevelt or transfer was entirely his. He chose to stay because he wanted the challenge of competing against top teams, and I respect that,” Washington Sr. added.
Young believes that because Washington’s parents gave him the opportunity to create his own pathway in life, it has paid off and is allowing him to flourish at his own pace.
“His dedication to becoming a better student-athlete is driven by his dad’s legacy, but he does know that he is paving his own path. We want him to realize that he is his own person, but sometimes players like him need a chip, and he is learning to use it as fuel,” says Young.
Being true to his Oregon roots, Washington has always had the dream of playing for the University of Oregon, and one day, he hopes to achieve that goal. But for now, he remains focused on school, continuing to develop as a player, and supporting his family.
“He has a few offers on the line from smaller schools, but not the ones he really wanted and expected. But I am glad that he is working through that part of adversity. He has pivoted and remained positive, realizing that he does have offers from other schools, and maybe a year from now, he can then go into the transfer portal and go to the school of his dreams. I have seen him deal with a lot of big things in life in a mature, positive way, and I couldn’t be prouder of him,” Tuss said.
