In 1984 Christopher Scott Washburn was one of the top 3 high school recruits in the nation. The 6'11 Center out of Laurinburg Institute along with John Williams and Danny Manning were on the wish list of just about every college recruiter.
Washburn signed with North Carolina State University as well as Vinny Del Negro and Nate McMillan, forming one of the best recruiting classes in the nation.
Washburn was known on the court as an incredibly gifted athlete, Washburn combined incredible size with blazing speed for a big man with soft hands. But off the court and in the classroom was a totally different story. According to some of his former teammates, Washburn was a student in name only. It is alleged that he almost never attended classes, but Washburn remained eligible to play. While at N.C State Washburn was prosecuted for stealing a stereo. During his trial, the Wake County District Attorney introduced as evidence Washburn's SAT scores, which were below 500 out of a possible 1600 with 400 being the starting score.
Washburn only played one full season with the Wolf pack, at times displaying potential to take his game to the next level. He averaged 17.6 points a game and 6.7 rebounds, sharing time in the front court with future NBA players Charles Shackleford and Chucky Brown. Washburn's best game was agaisnt future NBA draft pick Brad Daugherty on Feb. 23, 1986. Before a nationally-televised audience, Washburn scored 26 points as the Wolfpack upset the then-ranked #1 Tar Heels 76-65. Washburn efforts on the court were over shadowed by rumors of grades being altered to maintain his eligibility.
Washburn left N.C. State after the 1985-86 season and was selected by the Golden State Warriors with the 3rd overall pick of the 1986 NBA Draft. The highlight of Washburn's career came during an exhibition game in his rookie season against the New York Knicks, Washburn scored 16 points. Tendinitis in his knee resulted in Washburn taking anti-inflammatory medicine which led to a kidney infection. On January 28, 1987, Washburn checked into a Van Nuys drug rehabilitation clinic to deal with a cocaine problem.
Washburn played 72 games over two seasons averaging 3.1 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. He is widely considered to be one of the biggest busts in NBA draft history. Washburn was banned from the NBA for life in June 1989 after failing three drug tests in three years. By the mid-1990s, Washburn was still trying to scrape together a basketball career in various minor professional leagues. At last report, Washburn was working in the mortgage business in the Dallas Fort Worth area.
For every player that makes it, there are 5 Christopher Washburns that don't. The first rule to college athletics is "Use the system, don't let the system use you". What I mean by that is fair exchange is not considered robbery. Play the game in exchange for an education. Don't give your effort and talent away without getting anything in return. NBA dreams are cool, but no one cares about you when your jump shot starts to fade. SAT scores and class room attendance versus final four appearances and shoe contracts, in the end they win and you loose.
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