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The 2024 NBA draft is now less than one week away and here at College Sports Wire we are evaluating the college basketball stars who are hoping to hear their name called next Wednesday or Thursday.
Today we discuss an older prospect who wasn’t even invited to the NBA draft combine, yet is showing up 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 stepped into a featured role this past 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 a career best 41.2% from three, albeit on 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 bank on the offensive improvements there is a rotational 3-and-D wing waiting to be unlocked, and he might 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:
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
From: Spokane, WA
Played: Gonzaga (2019-2024)
2023-24 Stats: 14.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.5 steals, 60.7% on twos, 41.2% from three
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Height: 6’7.5
Weight: 233.4 pounds
Wingspan: 7’0
Standing Reach: 8’9
Max Vertical Leap: 32.5 inches
Steven Erler-USA TODAY Sports
- Elite, versatile defensive player who can guard 2-5 thanks to his wingspan, agility, footspeed, and strong instincts. Not only a great on-ball or switch defender, but his quickness and intelligence allows him to thrive as an off ball defender as well.
- Strong hands which led to him recording more steals than anyone not named John Stockton in Gonzaga basketball history.
- Connective big who showed improvement as a passer, and who is great at avoiding turnovers. Is great at getting out in transition as well, displaying a lot of fluidity moving in the open court.
- Quick reflexes and strength allow him to be a plus rebounder on both sides of the ball, and the passing and transition allow him to push the pace with the ball in his hands.
- When Gonzaga needed him to take over as a scorer, he could. Had multiple 30+ point games last season on elite efficiency, including against UCLA and defensive stud Adem Bona.
(Photo by Conor Courtney/Getty Images)
- Shot 41.2% from three last year, but was a career 25.3% shooter in four previous seasons. There’s hope he can be at least a wide open catch and shoot big at the next level, but any assumption about a three point shot in the NBA is just that.
- Watson posted a career free throw percentage of 62.7%, finishing below 70% all five seasons and below 65.3% in four of them. It’s not only a bad sign for his outside shot development, but won’t help him stay on the floor in the NBA either.
- Virtually no midrange game, did all of his scoring right at the rim or the occasional open three pointer. Offensive role will be limited to catch-and-shoot or putbacks on the offensive glass.
- Will be 24 before the NBA season gets underway, and has a bit of an injury history as well.
James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Draft Range: 45-undrafted
CSW Mock: No. 57 to Denver Nuggets
Team Fits: Win now team looking to fill a two-way spot or any team in need of a versatile wing defender. Denver, Portland, LA Clippers, LA Lakers, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix all make sense
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Courtesy : https://collegesportswire.usatoday.com/lists/nba-draft-anton-watson-profile-gonzaga-basketball/