Kermit Washington entered the NBA as a relentless rebounder and defensive presence, yet his name remains permanently tied to a single, catastrophic on-court moment. On December 9, 1977, a violent confrontation during a Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets game altered the trajectory of professional basketball. Beyond the infamous punch, Washington carved out a ten-year professional career, earning an All-Star nod and two All-Defensive selections through sheer physical grit.
Understanding his impact requires looking past the sensational headlines to examine his collegiate dominance, his statistical profile, the mechanics of the 1977 incident, and how his career forced the league to rewrite its rulebook regarding player safety and officiating.
Early Life and Collegiate Dominance at American University
Long before reaching the professional ranks, Washington established himself as a dominant force in the paint. Playing college basketball for American University from 1970 to 1973, he played just three varsity seasons due to freshman eligibility rules of that era, yet left an indelible mark on the program's record books.
Standing six feet and eight inches tall with a powerful frame, Washington dominated the boards with rare intensity. He finished his collegiate career averaging 20.1 points per game and grabbed a staggering 1,478 total rebounds, setting benchmarks that stood for decades. His ability to control space inside earned him national attention and convinced NBA scouts that his rugged style would translate to the major leagues, leading to his selection as the fifth overall pick in the 1973 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers.
Rising Through the NBA Ranks
Washington didn't immediately turn into a star upon entering the league, spending his initial seasons adapting to the speed and physicality of professional centers and power forwards. By the 1976-77 season, his role expanded significantly as he provided the Lakers with essential defensive toughness, elite rebounding, and high-percentage inside scoring.
His breakout campaign came during the 1979-80 season with the Portland Trail Blazers, where he averaged 13.4 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, earned an NBA All-Star selection, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. Throughout his ten-season career playing for the Lakers, Boston Celtics, San Diego Clippers, and Portland Trail Blazers, Washington maintained a reputation as an unyielding competitor who did the dirty work on defense.
The Dec 9, 1977 Incident and Its Immediate Aftermath
The defining pivot point of Washington's life occurred during a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets at the Los Angeles Forum. A scuffle broke out near midcourt between the Lakers' Abdul-Jabbar and the Rockets' Kevin Kunnert. Washington rushed in to defend his teammate, tussling aggressively with Kunnert.
Seeing the brawl escalate, Houston forward Rudy Tomjanovich ran from the other side of the court to intervene, intending to act as a peacemaker. Believing another opponent was charging him from behind, Washington spun around and delivered a devastating right-hand punch directly to Tomjanovich's face.
The impact fractured Tomjanovich's skull, broke his nose and jaw, and caused cerebral spinal fluid to leak. Tomjanovich spent days in the hospital fighting for his life, undergoing multiple facial reconstructive surgeries. The psychological and physical toll on both players was immense. Washington received a 60-day suspension and a $10,000 fine—the heaviest penalties levied by the league up to that point. The stigma of the punch followed Washington for the rest of his days, casting a long shadow over his athletic achievements and transforming how players and executives viewed team enforcers.
How the Incident Changed the NBA Forever
The violence of December 1977 forced league commissioner Larry O'Brien and NBA leadership to address mounting physical aggression. Prior to the incident, bench-clearing brawls and heavy intimidation tactics were common features of professional basketball.
Following the punch, the NBA instituted sweeping structural changes to curb on-court violence:
- The Third Referee: The league permanently added a third on-court referee to help officials monitor off-the-ball action and catch escalating tensions before they turned physical.
- Stricter Suspensions: Automatic suspensions and hefty financial penalties were codified for leaving the bench during an altercation or throwing punches.
- Modified Enforcement: Referees were instructed to penalize aggressive physical contact and intimidating behavior swiftly, shifting the game toward skill and speed rather than physical intimidation.
These regulatory updates helped professional basketball transition into a modern, highly skilled spectacle, distancing the league from the lawless era of the 1970s.
Legacy and Post-Playing Years
Kermit Washington finished his career with solid averages of 9.2 points and 8.3 rebounds per game across 507 regular-season appearances. Yet, career retrospective articles frequently reduce his decade-long career to a single fraction of a second.
Away from the hardwood, Washington dedicated decades to humanitarian work, particularly in Africa through the Africa Development Corps, constructing clinics and schools in impoverished regions. Despite past struggles with legal issues later in life, his basketball legacy remains a complex case study in how one split-second reaction can permanently define a professional identity while simultaneously reshaping an entire sports league.
Frequently Asked Questions
What teams did Kermit Washington play for during his NBA career?
Washington played for ten seasons across five different NBA franchises: the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, San Diego Clippers, Portland Trail Blazers, and a brief stint with the Golden State Warriors.
Did Kermit Washington make an All-Star team?
Yes. He earned an NBA All-Star selection during the 1979-80 season while playing for the Portland Trail Blazers, where he averaged a career-high 13.4 points and 10.5 rebounds per contest.
What disciplinary action did Kermit Washington face for the punch?
The NBA suspended Washington for 60 days and fined him $10,000, which was the harshest punishment issued by the league for an on-court incident at that time.
How did the 1977 incident change NBA rules?
The altercation directly prompted the league to introduce a third referee on the floor to improve court coverage, implement strict automatic suspensions for players leaving the bench during fights, and crack down on excessive roughness.
