KERMIT WASHINGTON
Perhaps better known for a punch that nearly killed Rudy Tomjanovich and for legal troubles that plagued his post-playing career, Kermit Washington was a Trail Blazers All-Star in 1980.
A 6-foot-8-inch, 230-pound power forward out of American University, Washington was the fifth overall pick of the Los Angeles Lakers in 1973. He was acquired by the Trail Blazers in 1979 as part of a deal that compensated Portland for the then-San Diego Clippers’ signing of Bill Walton.
Washington played three years in Portland; he made an incredibly high percentage of his shots while wearing the Blazers uniform, and he was a prodigious rebounder. And during his 1979-1980 All-Star season, he averaged 13.4 points, 10.5 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game.
Injuries derailed Washington’s career, though, and he retired from basketball in 1982. He attempted a comeback with the Golden State Warriors in 1987, but played in just six games.