NBA draft grades: Houston Rockets' TyTy Washington selection at No. 29 a 'home run'

Kentucky guard TyTy Washington, a former Laveen Cesar Chavez and AZ Compass Prep standout, went to the Houston Rockets with the No. 29 pick in the 2022 NBA draft on Thursday night.

How did NBA writers feel about the selection?

Check out their grades and reaction to the pick.

Fox Sports: Rockets receive an A for TyTy Washington pick

It writes: "Washington plays with plenty of pace and has an awareness level that allows him to be a quality decision-maker. His passing ability in finding Oscar Tshiebwe in transition and Kellan Grady for a perimeter look was sharp. The perimeter shot is an area of question, but the consensus is that his sample size in Lexington doesn’t tell the full story due to his ankle injuries. On the defensive end, his foot speed is cause for concern. Overall, he could be a potential secondary guard option. The Rockets have to be viewed as one of the biggest winners in the first round of the draft. They ended up getting a guy who could have been a fringe lottery pick at the 29th spot, and garnered two additional picks in a trade with Minnesota. The Washington pick in this spot and for this team is a home run."

More: NBA draft grades: Indiana Pacers receive high marks for Bennedict Mathurin 2022 selection

More: NBA draft grades: Portland Trail Blazers make risky pick in Shaedon Sharpe with No. 7 pick

More: NBA draft grades: Did Oklahoma City Thunder reach for Jalen Williams with No. 12 pick?

More: NBA draft grades: Chicago Bulls get 'high upside' with Dalen Terry selection at No. 18

More: NBA draft grades: Milwaukee Bucks lauded for MarJon Beauchamp selection at No. 24 in 2022

More: NBA draft grades: Toronto Raptors' Christian Koloko pick at No. 33 earns mixed reviews

Yahoo Sports: Rockets earn a B+ for selection of TyTy Washington

Krysten Peek writes: "Washington played off the ball at Kentucky and developed further as a secondary ball-handler and is one of the quickest players in this draft."

CBS Sports: TyTy Washington pick lands Rockets an A+

Gary Parrish writes: "The best prospect available finally comes off. Washington proved he can play point guard and off the ball, which makes him incredibly versatile. This is three SEC players at different positions for the Rockets, and they complement each other nicely."

More: 2022 NBA Draft: Arizona-connected players get first-round attention

Former AZ Compass Prep and Laveen Cesar Chavez standout TyTy Washington was picked by the Houston Rockets with the No. 29 pick in the 2022 NBA draft.
Former AZ Compass Prep and Laveen Cesar Chavez standout TyTy Washington was picked by the Houston Rockets with the No. 29 pick in the 2022 NBA draft.

The Ringer: Rockets get a B for picking TyTy Washington

Kevin O'Connor writes: "It makes sense for the Rockets to find a game-managing point guard after letting Kevin Porter Jr. run the show last season. KPJ has value in his own way but he’s not someone who can settle down an offense like Washington could."

Bleacher Report: TyTy Washington selection receives a B+ for Rockets

Zach Buckley writes: "If Washington has more to his game than he showed in college (as Kentucky guards have been wont to do on occasion), then the Rockets could have found a steal. Defenders always look antsy around Washington, who uses fakes and speed changes to keep them off-balance and then laces precision passes to open teammates anywhere on the court. He has every inside-the-arc pull-up shot in his bag, and there are flashes of outside-the-arc pull-ups, too. That said, his three-ball isn’t consistent, and it really needs to get there since he doesn’t have great burst, elite quickness or the explosiveness to finish at the rim."

More: NBA mock draft: Where will Kentucky product TyTy Washington be picked in 2022 NBA draft?

SB Nation: Rockets earn A- grade for TyTy Washington choice

Ricky O'Donnell writes: "Washington was looking like a lottery pick before a mid-season ankle injury limited his play down the stretch. When he’s at his best, Washington is a guard with good size — 6’4 with a 6’9 wingspan — who thrives scoring from midrange. He has one of the best floaters in the class, and hit 35 percent of his threes. He had a 17-point, 17-assist game this year for Kentucky, and could more even more potent in a more on-ball role after mostly playing shooting guard in college. He feels like a nice fit next to Jalen Green, and a very good value at this point in the first round."

How would you grade the TyTy Washington pick for the Rockets?

Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Houston Rockets NBA draft grades for TyTy Washington 2022 selection