The 2024 NBA Draft is less than a week away and we here at College Sports Wire are taking stock of the college basketball stars waiting to hear their name called next Wednesday or Thursday.
Today we’re talking about an older prospect who wasn’t even invited to the NBA draft combine, but appears in the second round of recent mock drafts thanks to his defensive versatility and winning pedigree. That would be Anton Watson, a five-year player for the Gonzaga Bulldogs who took on a prominent role last season and had the best year of his career.
After playing four years behind college basketball superstar Drew Timme, Watson finally got a chance to shine as an offensive player for Mark Few and the Zags in 2023-24, posting career highs in points (14.5), rebounds (7 .1) and assists (2.6). ) while shooting 60.7% on two-pointers and 41.2% on three-pointers, the best of his career, albeit with 1.5 3PA/G.
Watson’s size, strength, wingspan, and defensive instincts give him the profile of a versatile, switchable defender, and if a team is willing to gamble on offensive upgrades, there is a 3-and-D rotational wing waiting to be unlocked, and He may not even cost a draft pick.
Below is a look at Watson’s draft profile, including his measurements at the combine, strengths and weaknesses as a player, and current projected draft range and team fits in the NBA:
Of: Spokane, Washington
Juice: Gonzaga (2019-2024)
Statistics 2023-24: 14.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.5 steals, 60.7% from two, 41.2% from three
Height: 6’7.5
Weight: 233.4 pounds
Wingspan: 7’0
Standing reach: 8’9
Maximum vertical jump: 32.5 inches
- Elite and versatile defensive player who can score from 2 to 5 thanks to his wingspan, agility, foot speed and strong instincts. Not only is he a great defender on the ball or with switches, but his speed and intelligence allow him to thrive as an off-ball defender as well.
- Strong hands that led him to record more steals than anyone not named John Stockton in Gonzaga basketball history.
- A big, connective player who showed improvement as a passer and is excellent at preventing turnovers. He is also excellent at getting out in transition, showing a lot of fluidity moving in the open court.
- Quick reflexes and strength allow him to be an excellent rebounder on both sides of the ball, and passing and transitioning allow him to pick up the pace with the ball in his hands.
- When Gonzaga needed him to take on the scoring role, he could. He had multiple 30+ point games last season with elite efficiency, including against UCLA and defensive stud Adem Bona.
- He shot 41.2% from three last year, but was a career 25.3% shooter in four previous seasons. There is hope that he can at least be a wide receiver and shoot big at the next level, but any assumptions about a three-point shot in the NBA are just that.
- Watson posted a career free throw percentage of 62.7%, finishing below 70% in all five seasons and below 65.3% in four of them. Not only is this a bad sign for his outside shooting development, but it also won’t help him stay on the court in the NBA.
- Virtually no mid-range game, he scored all his points right at the rim or the occasional open three-pointer. The offensive role will be limited to catch-and-shoot or putbacks on the offensive glass.
- He will turn 24 before the NBA season begins and also has a history of injuries.
Draft range: 45-not recruited
CSW Drill: No. 57 to the Denver Nuggets
The equipment fits: The team looking to fill a two-way position or any team in need of a versatile wing defender wins now. Denver, Portland, LA Clippers, LA Lakers, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, they all make sense
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