MAC Director Inducted Into Hogan Prep Hall of Fame

Every name. Every stat. Every game. Every date.

Ask Dominique Washington, ’16, former Hawks basketball player and director of the MAC, a question about his experience playing basketball growing up, and recalling specifics is like second nature.

There’s a reason the experience was so indelible — Washington was part of the boys’ basketball team at Hogan Preparatory Academy during one of the most successful periods in program history. Over four seasons, they reached the state championship three times, and raised the trophy once in his senior year. At the time, it was the first in a long time for a school in Kansas City’s urban core. Washington earned first-team all-state honors and all-metro honors for his play. In February, he was inducted into the Hogan Prep Hall of Fame.

Washington — known as “Gucci” to his Hogan classmates for his resemblance to rapper Gucci Mane — said going into the Hall of Fame at his alma mater was about more for him than the stats, though. Washington said he grew up on Kansas City’s East Side, and with that came some experiences that shaped him as a person.

“I definitely feel like I was part of something special,” he said. “And going into the Hall of Fame solidifies to me what surviving adversity can look like.”

In 2009, Washington’s teammate Darreon Murray was murdered following the district championship game. Washington was at the time struggling academically and going through what he called “growing pains” on the court, but losing a close friend in that way made him commit to succeeding. With a renewed focus on academic work and his game, he became a leader on the court.

“That was one of the worst, most traumatic experiences I can remember,” he said. “But I think the situation also really woke me up.”

After a heartbreaking loss his junior year in the state finals, Washington publicly promised to be back, and the team indeed did make it to the finals again in 2011, this time cruising to a 61-46 victory.

“I think that trophy stayed in my hands the whole day,” he said.

To see that journey recognized by the school means a lot, he said. But Washington said he knows it was not just his moment — it’s one he shares with teammates, friends and family, especially his late great-grandmother and his nearly 2-year-old daughter.