Cut by the NBA, He Found Fame in Communist Poland
Kent Washington, the first American to play pro behind the iron curtain
Kent Washington in action against Polonia, a rival team in the Polish Basketball League. In 1979, he became the first American pro to sign up behind the iron curtain.
The Polish press called it ‘Kentomania!’, an American basketball player who filled arenas beyond capacity and dazzled audiences with his quick and fancy ba…