Washington Wizards Rookie Receives High Praise From Teammate

The Washington Wizards selected Carlton "Bub" Carrington in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft. In training camp, he is already impressing his teammates, including fellow Pitt star.

Jun 26, 2024; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Carlton Carrington arrives before the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The NBA season is right around the corner and one of the most interesting draft prospects to keep tabs on is Washington Wizards rookie Carlton "Bub" Carrington. The 19-year-old rookie from Pittsburgh University enters the NBA as a high-level microwave scorer that can inject life into the Wizards offense.

So far this training camp, the adjustment has been made smooth by playing with a fellow Pittsburgh Panther in Justin Champagnie. The Wizards fourth year swingman has already dished out high praise for Carrington, who he has been around longer than most in D.C.

"The year before when Bub was a freshman, I used to always go back [to Pittsburgh], I was always on campus, we used to always go to the gym and play one-on-one. When I heard he was being picked here, I was ecstatic," Champagnie said "He comes from my same type of upbringing, went to the same school, he is a dog...He has that Baltimore energy, for sure since he was 17-years-old he had that type of energy...Brings that energy and joy you guys see every day."

These are moments that the Washington rookie looks back on fondly ahead of his NBA debut on Oct. 24 against the Boston Celtics.

"He was kicking my [expletive]" Carrington laughed reflecting on those one-on-one matchups "Me and Justin honestly clicked very well early."

Justin Champagnie and Bub Carrington both went to Pitt and Justin got to know Bub before he committed there. They used to play 1-on-1 when Bub was 17 and Justin was already a pro.

Some funny comments from both on how those matchups went 👇 pic.twitter.com/R4CQdlXnvw
— Chase Hughes (@chasedcsports) October 19, 2024

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