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Former Washington Basketball star Tony Wroten founded Trust the Process, because he does.

By Bret Stuter

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 08: Washington Huskies cheerleaders perform during the team's first-round game of the Pac-12 Basketball Tournament against the USC Trojans at T-Mobile Arena on March 8, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. USC won 78-73. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 08: Washington Huskies cheerleaders perform during the team's first-round game of the Pac-12 Basketball Tournament against the USC Trojans at T-Mobile Arena on March 8, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. USC won 78-73. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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During the larva stage of the Philadelphia 76ers rebuild, Washington Basketball star Tony Wroten reassured Philadelphia by telling the city to #TrustTheProcess. It was easy, because that is exactly what he does.

Guard Tony Wroten played for the Washington Basketball team under former head coach Lorenzo Romar. He played just one season for the Huskies, leading the team to a 24-11 record but failing to get an invitation to the NCAA tournament.

Wroten put up some decent numbers that year. He averaged 16 points on 30.3 minutes of play. He also 5.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists  and 1.9 steals per game. Despite 48.3 percent accuracy from the floor, he couldn’t his his perimeter shot, ending at just 16.1 percent accuracy.

He was versatile enough to warrant interest from the NBA. The Memphis Grizzlies drafted him in the first round at 25 in the 2012 NBA Draft. That first season did not impress the Grizzlies much, but the Philadelphia 76ers were intrigued enough to give up a second round pick for the young man.

Wroten coins phrase for Philadelphia 76ers fans

He played as a Philadelphia 76ers for the next three years until he was released by the team in the 2015-2016 season, having played just eight games.

But in an interview over the plight of the Philadelphia 76ers, Tony Wroten matter-of-factly recommended fans “Trust the Process”.

That phrase was just a response to a question. But within days, it blossomed into the mantra for the entire basketball program. It is so popular now that even non-basketball fans know the phrase.   But few attribute it to the former guard of the Washington Huskies.

Mounting a comeback

Now he plays for the Texas Legends, on his way back to the NBA. While I do not know if he will climb his way back to the league, I certainly how that he does. He is the type of player who has as much to offer the game as he does to the box-score.  In fact, he was recently interviewed on the Rights to Ricky Sanchez and is absolutely worth a listen.

He is no longer a Philadelphia 76ers player, but that is not a result of disinterest from fans. They continue to appreciate the versatility and his calm perspective about the team.

NBA needs Tony Wroten

Wroten is working on his mid-range jump shot this summer.  But having witnessed his NBA and college play, it’s hard to connect the dots from those performances and the absence of NBA offers. But he is living the very philosophy he preached.

There is a place for Tony Wroten in the NBA. He delivers the right message to younger players, and the right work ethic in the gym. He is the guy who can slide in at either guard position. Now he needs the door to open.  And most of all, he is still an NBA caliber player.

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Tony Wroten will always be a Washington Husky.  He played one year, but that is somewhat the NCAA Men’s Basketball norm now. Likewise, he is trying to make that lifelong impact in the NBA. Will it happen? It should. After all, Tony Wroten trusts the process too. And good things await those who wait.

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