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Gonzaga Basketball: Homegrown Anton Watson could be next star of WCC

By Brayley Crowe

BOISE, ID - MARCH 17: Head coach Mark Few of the Gonzaga Bulldogs reacts after defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes 90-84 in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 17, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
BOISE, ID - MARCH 17: Head coach Mark Few of the Gonzaga Bulldogs reacts after defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes 90-84 in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 17, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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With the likely departures of Rui Hachimura and Brandon Clarke, Gonzaga Basketball will have some massive shoes to fill in the four and five positions. Enter Anton Watson, the Zags’ 6-foot-10-inch incoming freshman to alleviate these losses.

Watson, a forward, is a Spokane, Wash. native and will graduate from Gonzaga Prep School in June. The current Bullpup will join five other freshmen in 2019 for the Zags’ best ever recruiting class, which is currently the No. 5 in the nation, joining other top-50 recruit Drew Timme. Watson is currently No. 44 in the land.

The Washington native will bring to the floor the most prolific factor of late for Gonzaga; being a skilled and athletic two-way big man. Like Domantas Sabonis, Zach Collins and Kyle Wiltjer to name just a few, Watson will blend perfectly in the flow of Gonzaga’s play. Watson was pivotal in the Bullpups’ repeat push as Washington 4A State Champions, which included a defeat of Federal Way High School, manned by the No. 5 recruit in the nation, Jaden McDaniels.

In his outing at the NBPA Top 100 Camp last summer at the University of Virginia, Watson showcased his strengths in practically every aspect of the game. With a long stature, the forward can stretch the court and make swift moves to the rim in a heartbeat. He is a smooth and quick player with good court awareness, especially in pick-and-roll situations. If the Zags can fill the hole in the point guard position for this upcoming season, Watson could make for a lethal benefactor in these types of plays.

But his play is not just limited to the interior. While he certainly can drive with ease and turn a 25-footer into a lay-in in an instant, Watson has also shown his ability to convert on the jumper as well. Watson comfortably drained a few threes in his showcase at UVA, which will only hold defenders true once he takes the floor collegiately. With his speed and length, a quick jumper or a pump-fake can result in points more often than not. In Gonzaga Prep’s opening game of the 2018-19 campaign, Watson lit up the scoreboard for 36 points in a 64-44 defeat of Mt. Spokane, Washington’s seventh-best team.

While his scoring ability will make him a staple for this evolving Gonzaga team, his defensive skills may be crucial in his first season, and perhaps help him push for WCC Newcomer of the Year. With a 6’11” wingspan and a handsy defensive style, Watson is quick to poke the ball away or intercept a pass. And with shot blocking phenom Clarke most likely leaving for the Draft, his presence in the paint will be a great buffer for the Bulldogs‘ defensively. Watson is gauged at 210 pounds currently and mixed with his solid hops, can rebound quite well to pair with his defensive strengths.

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In general, Gonzaga has been a program that progressively develops its players into some of the nation’s best, but as elite recruits, like Watson, begin to join the program, this premier type of play will already be installed. Despite his youth, Watson may very well be one the Zags’, or even the conference’s, top three scorers in next season’s campaign, and continued dedication at a great multi-year program may result in him developing as another first round pick from Gonzaga.