Recruiting Report: P’hariz Watkins (2017)
Cover Photo by Matt Allaire @AllaireMe
Chaminade-Julienne High School guard P’hariz Watkins (6-foot-2, 165) proactively kickstarted his college recruitment last month. Intent on making the most of his final AAU season, Watkins reached out to numerous college coaches. Feedback has been encouraging.
The strongest initial push is coming from Heidelberg University (DIII).
“I talk with Coach (Bryan) Wickliffe,” said Watkins. “I called him Coach Wick. He said I was one of their top prospects and when they start their 2017 recruiting board in July they were very interested in me.”
Coach Wickliffe was Watkins’ original point of contact, but Friday Heidelberg Head Coach Bucheit emailed him. Like Watkins, Coach Bucheit played in the physical GCL.
“He said he was a player in the GCL,” said Watkins. “He played at La Salle. He likes players from the GCL. They work hard and play hard. Also, as coach Wick said, I am at the top of their recruiting list.”
Watkins intends to camp with Heidelberg this upcoming summer.
“They invited me to came at the end of July,” said Watkins.
College camp season provides a nice opportunity to be seen, but Watkins and Shining Stars 17u AAU will want to make the most of April tournaments. During the first LIVE period Watkins will be evaluated by Murray State Assistant Coach Tim Kaine.
Also, Creighton Assistant Coach Steve Lutz maintains early contact with Watkins.
“We have been talking through email,” said Watkins. “They said they like my length and my size. They are going to keep checking me out as much as they can.”
P’hariz Watkins Season
For CJ, 2015-2016 was a wildly turbulent basketball season.
My goal for basketball has always been to play at the next level. Make it to college and then professional. First Team All-District, All-League, And if I make All-Southwest that would make me eligible for All-State.
“We started off 10-1,” said Watkins. “We won the Versailles Tournament. One of my best friends, Christian Montague (14.1 ppg) tore his ACL, and then my other buddy Miles Joiner (14.9 ppg, 8.9 rpg) transferred.”
From 10-1, CJHS wrapped up the season with a playoff loss, falling to an uninspiring 11-11 final record.
All was not lost for Watkins. The team’s turnover demanded a leader step forward. Scoring opportunities presented themselves to the willing.
“Our first (postseason) tournament game was against Ponitz,” recalled Watkins. “Not only did I score the ball, like I knew I could all season, but I had four charges (drawn), seven rebounds, four assists, and also 21 points. It ended the season kind of how I wanted the whole season to go.”
Second Chances
Late-game mistakes are costly. A missed free throw or an ill-advised shot can mean the difference between a joyous locker room or sullen comrades. Watkins made a big mistake January 2nd in a tight game.
“Early in the year, against Northmont, it was about 30 seconds left, and I had a very costly turnover,” said Watkins. “I thought that I blew the game. They went down and tied the game with two free throws.”
Chaminade-Julienne was able to force overtime. Watkins was second-guessing himself. He feared that not only had he let his team down, but the team no longer believed in him.
“Once I turned the ball over and went to overtime I felt like…I didn’t know if my coach and my team trusted me to play it out,” said Watkins.
The squad needed a jolt.
“The first play of overtime we took it out and they were playing a triangle-and-two and I caught it on the wing and finished left-handed floater over their center,” said Watkins. “We got three steals in overtime. I hit two free throws to seal the deal. That felt like a great relief.”
With the win, CJ extended their winning streak to five games. Watkins salvaged a win from a losing position and regained his reputation.
“After finishing the way I did it gave me confidence.”
With that confidence, Watkins begins his AAU season this weekend. The final, great push begins.