Kobe Bryant's nephew Jett Washington receives offer from Bill Belichick-led UNC Tar Heels

Jett Washington, nephew of the late NBA legend Kobe Bryant, has garnered significant attention after receiving a football scholarship offer from Bill Belichick's North Carolina.

At 16, Washington is making waves as a gifted two-sport athlete for Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas. On Friday, he posted about the UNC offer on Instagram, writing:

"Blessed to receive an offer from North Carolina!!🙏🏾."

Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 200 pounds, Washington plays as a wing for Bishop Gorman's basketball team. Last season, he led the team to a 24-5 record and secured the Class 5A state championship in Nevada, averaging 14.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, per The Athletic.

In a standout moment at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena—home to his uncle’s iconic retired jerseys—Washington scored 33 points during a hard-fought game.

Washington plays high school football as a safety and earned the 2024 MaxPreps Junior First-Team All-American recognition. When asked about his interactions with Kobe Bryant, Washington said (via The Athletic):

“He always made me feel special when I was with him. Sometimes I feel a little bit of pressure (being his nephew), but my parents make sure I don’t feel it too much. They tell me to just go out there and have fun, don’t try to overthink and just play. My uncle was a great player."

His father, Jerrod Washington, was drafted by the New England Patriots in 1994 after a successful college football career.

Bill Belichick dismisses NFL rumors, focused on North Carolina football

New North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick has firmly dismissed rumors about returning to the NFL, with Tar Heels general manager Michael Lombardi clarifying on Thursday that Belichick’s focus is entirely on his new role.

Lombardi took to X to quell speculation, tweeting:

"Bill is recruiting in D.C. today and Baltimore tomorrow. His focus is on North Carolina football, hiring staff members and developing the team. The NFL isn't an option, so please stop making it one."

Also, Lombardi later confirmed on ESPN that the legendary New England Patriots coach had finalized terms with the school. At his introductory press conference, Bill Belichick said:

"I'm here to do the best I can for the University of North Carolina and the program. That's what I'm here to do. I'll give the best I have every single day."

Bill Belichick, who parted ways with the Patriots in January 2024, was not hired during last year’s NFL coaching cycle. His agreement with the Tar Heels includes a $10 million buyout clause if terminated before June 1, dropping to $1 million after that.

His base salary is set at $1 million, with $9 million in supplemental income, and he stands to earn up to $3.5 million in bonuses.