Jett Washington: Kobe, Parents, ESPN, Age, Stats and Commit

Jett Washington is a highly regarded American football prospect who gained national attention because of both his athletic ability and his family connection to NBA legend Kobe Bryant. Washington is Kobe Bryant’s nephew through his mother, Sharia Washington, Bryant’s older sister. He developed as a standout two-sport athlete at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, playing both football and basketball.

His recruiting profile became especially prominent during the 2025 cycle. ESPN ranked Washington as its No. 1 safety in the 2026 recruiting class, and he ultimately committed to the Oregon Ducks.

Jett Washington and Kobe Bryant

Jett Washington is the nephew of Kobe Bryant. His mother, Sharia Washington, is one of Kobe Bryant’s older sisters. His father is Jerrod Washington, a former college football player who was selected by the New England Patriots in the 1994 NFL Draft. Sharia also had an athletic background, playing volleyball at Temple University.

Washington has spoken about his relationship with Kobe and the influence his uncle had on him. His father previously described Jett as being particularly close to Kobe, saying the NBA star would work with him during the summers and offer advice about his athletic development.

The Kobe connection became particularly noticeable when Washington played basketball at Crypto.com Arena in January 2024. He scored 33 points for Bishop Gorman, matching the number Kobe wore during his high school career. Washington also acknowledged the significance of playing in the arena where his uncle had starred for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Jett Washington Parents

Washington’s parents are Jerrod Washington and Sharia Washington.

His mother, Sharia, is Kobe Bryant’s sister and previously played Division I volleyball at Temple. His father, Jerrod, was a football player who was drafted by the New England Patriots in 1994.

The family’s athletic background has been an important part of Washington’s story. However, his own recruiting profile has been built primarily around his performances as a football safety.

Jett Washington ESPN Ranking

ESPN identified Washington as the No. 1 safety in the 2026 recruiting class. ESPN listed him as a four-star prospect and placed him at No. 22 nationally in the ESPN 300 at the time of his Oregon commitment.

ESPN’s recruiting profile lists Washington at 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds, from Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Nevada. It also records his status as signed with Oregon following his June 2025 commitment.

Recruiting rankings varied between services. For example, other recruiting outlets rated Washington as a five-star or placed him among the top overall prospects in the 2026 class. Those differences reflect the fact that recruiting services use their own evaluation systems.

Jett Washington Age

Washington was born in 2007 and is a member of the 2026 recruiting class. Public biographical listings give his birth date as November 13, 2007, which would make him 18 years old in September 2026.

He attended Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, one of the country’s prominent high school football programs.

Jett Washington Stats

Washington produced strong defensive numbers during his Bishop Gorman football career.

According to available high-school statistical data, he recorded:

The 2024 season was particularly notable because Washington finished with 38 tackles and five interceptions as a junior. ESPN also highlighted those numbers when reporting his Oregon commitment.

A Gatorade player-of-the-year release reported that Washington’s senior campaign included 59 tackles, four interceptions, seven pass breakups and two forced fumbles, while Bishop Gorman’s defense allowed only 64 points during the season.

Washington also has a basketball background. During his high school career, he helped Bishop Gorman win state championships and showed his scoring ability in major showcase games. His 33-point performance at Crypto.com Arena remains one of the most notable examples.

Jett Washington Commit

Washington committed to the Oregon Ducks on June 19, 2025. ESPN reported that he chose Oregon over Alabama and USC.

His commitment gave Oregon one of the highest-rated defensive prospects in the 2026 class. ESPN described him as its top safety in the class, while his size and versatility made him attractive to several major college programs.

Washington had received significant recruiting interest before making his decision, with programs including Georgia, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Alabama, Michigan and others showing interest during his recruitment.

Jett Washington at Oregon

Washington entered Oregon as a highly recruited defensive back after completing his high school career at Bishop Gorman.

In March 2026, reports confirmed that he would wear No. 24 for Oregon. That number is especially notable because Kobe Bryant wore No. 24 during the second half of his NBA career. Washington had also previously worn No. 24 in football.

The jersey number gives his Oregon career an obvious connection to his famous uncle, although Washington’s football career is developing on its own path.

Is Jett Washington a Basketball Player?

Yes. Washington is a genuine two-sport athlete who played basketball at Bishop Gorman in addition to football. He was listed as a wing/small forward in high school and demonstrated considerable scoring ability.

However, football became his primary recruiting path. His size, athleticism and versatility made him a major college football prospect, eventually leading to his commitment to Oregon.

Jett Washington Profile

Conclusion

Jett Washington has built a notable athletic profile of his own while carrying a famous family connection. As Kobe Bryant’s nephew and the son of two former athletes, he grew up around competitive sports. His performances at Bishop Gorman established him as a standout football and basketball athlete.

ESPN ranked Washington as the No. 1 safety in the 2026 class, and he chose Oregon over several major college programs. His defensive production, 6-foot-5 frame and versatility helped make him one of the most closely followed recruits in his class.

At Oregon, Washington begins the next stage of his football career. His decision to wear No. 24 adds another connection to Kobe Bryant, but his performance on the field will ultimately shape his own football legacy.

FAQs

Who is Jett Washington?

Jett Washington is an American football safety from Las Vegas who played at Bishop Gorman High School and committed to the Oregon Ducks as part of the 2026 recruiting class.

Is Jett Washington related to Kobe Bryant?

Yes. Jett Washington is Kobe Bryant’s nephew. Washington’s mother, Sharia Washington, is Bryant’s sister.

Who are Jett Washington’s parents?

His parents are Jerrod Washington and Sharia Washington.

What is Jett Washington’s ESPN ranking?

ESPN ranked Washington as the No. 1 safety in the 2026 recruiting class and listed him as a four-star prospect at the time of his Oregon commitment.

Where did Jett Washington commit?

Washington committed to the University of Oregon on June 19, 2025.

What position does Jett Washington play?

Washington plays safety. ESPN lists him at 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds.

What are Jett Washington’s football stats?

His reported high-school totals include 37 tackles and two interceptions in 2023, 38 tackles and five interceptions in 2024, and 48 tackles and four interceptions in 2025.

Did Jett Washington play basketball?

Yes. Washington was also a standout basketball player at Bishop Gorman and scored 33 points in a high-profile game at Crypto.com Arena in 2024.

What number will Jett Washington wear at Oregon?

Washington announced that he would wear No. 24 at Oregon, the same number Kobe Bryant famously wore during the latter half of his NBA career.