| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 10, 1956 New Rochelle, New York, United States |
| Listed height | 178 cm (5 ft 10 in) |
| Career information | |
| High school | New Rochelle High School |
| College | Southampton College (1974–1978) |
| Playing career | 1974–1995 |
| Position | Point guard |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 1978–81 | Start Lublin |
| 1981–83 | Zagłębie Sosnowiec |
| 1983–8? | IFK Linköping |
| 198?–19?? | Plannja Basket Luleå |
| 19??–1995 | BC Växjö |
| As coach: | |
| IFK Linköping | |
| Luleå BBK | |
| 1997–? | Iona Gaels |
| 2000–04 | Mercy College |
Kent "Ken" Washington (born January 10, 1956; nicknamed "Nut")[1][2] is an American former professional basketball player. He was the first American as well as the first black professional basketball player to play behind the Iron Curtain. He played professional basketball in the Polish People's Republic from 1979–83. He was the PLK Most Valuable Player in 1980. He won the Polish Cup in 1983. In total, he played professional basketball in Europe for 14 years. He is the author of the 2021 memoir Kentomania: A Black Basketball Virtuoso in Communist Poland.
- ^ Haggerty, Nancy (June 12, 2020). "Breaking barriers: Washington first American to play pro basketball behind Iron Curtain". The Journal News.
- ^ "Historia Polskiej Ligi Koszykówki Mężczyzn". plkhistory.ugu.pl. Retrieved May 2, 2023.