Airman aims for Air Force Men’s basketball team

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Krystal M. Garrett
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD. Fla. --  Airmen from around the world showed up to try out for the All-Air Force Men’s Basketball team. For one Air Commando, making the 12-man roster was a goal -- and he accomplished it.

The All-Air Force Men’s team coach delivered the news to the players one by one in a private meeting in his office during the tryouts that
were held Oct. 15-30 at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.

“I was excited to get the news,” said Staff Sgt. Brian Washington, an Airman dormitory leader with the 1st Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron. “I was confident, and I thought I had what it took to make the team.”

Washington has been playing basketball since the age of five and continues to play basketball in honor of his late cousin, Byron Tolbert, who passed away in 2005.

“We grew up playing together,” Washington stated. “He is my biggest inspiration.”

With what he describes as a mixture of NBA players Russell Westbrook and Joe Johnson, Washington’s skills haven’t gone unnoticed.

“I was invited to try out for a spot on the team back in 2013, but I wasn’t able to attend the tryouts,” Washington said. “This is my first time actually competing for a spot on the team, and I’m blessed to have made it.”

To be eligible to try out, Washington had to submit physical training test scores, Enlisted Performance Reports, as well as recommendations from his leadership.

“Recommending [Washington] was a no-brainer,” said Master Sgt. Paul Neal, the superintendent of unaccompanied housing with 1st SOCES. “His dedication to the Air Force shows every day.”

As a dormitory leader, Washington ensures that unaccompanied Airman arriving to Hurlburt Field have a place to call home.

Once Washington is done making sure Airmen have a place to sleep, his mind turns to his love of basketball.

“When he isn't taking care of the residents, he is either talking about basketball or playing” said Neal.

The All-Air Force Men’s Basketball team is competing in the Armed Forces Tournament through Nov. 8.