Recruiting Report: Christian Watson (2022)
There were a significant number of rising juniors in the DMV area who experienced significant uptick in their recruitment on June 15, the first day that Division I programs could officially contact prospects in the class of 2022. One happened to be Christian Watson Christian Watson 6'6" | SF St. John's | 2022 State #121 Nation MD , a 6-foot-6 wing who plays for St. John’s (DC) and was slated to play for Team Durant’s 16U squad on the EYBL Circuit.
The Cadets finished with a 24-9 overall record, picking up marquee wins along the way against teams such as Morgan Park, Poly and Gonzaga.
“I thought our season went well,” Watson told Prep Hoops. “I had to settle into my role and learn from guys like Ish Leggett (Rhode Island). I just had to play big every game and be ready for catch-and-shoot situations.”
Having solid leaders who are upperclassmen help instill winning cultures within programs for the years that follow. Watson was a beneficiary of that and picked up on as much as he could from his time this season with Leggett.
“I just learned how to play without the ball and that you don’t have to make everything happen all of the time,” Watson continued, “I picked up a lot from him in how to be a leader and how to finish games even when adversity hits.”
What catches coach’s eyes about Watson has to do with his frame and length. Mix in his plus athleticism and you have the blueprint for valued wing players in today’s game. His versatility on the defensive end allows him to cover multiple positions and make for a handful in transition where Watson can finish lobs or off the bounce and get well above the rim. In the half court he can shoot accurately from beyond the arc, further adding value to a player at his size.
Watson received eight of his current 13 offers within a two day span, with some coming from Power 5 schools. His list of offers is as follows: Arizona, Bryant, Georgetown, George Mason, George Washington, Howard, La Salle, LSU, Rhode Island, Saint Joseph’s, Stony Brook, VCU and Xavier.
“The schools that have reached out to me feel that I’m an underrated player in my class,” Watson told me following Team Durant training camp. “On June 15, schools wanted to reach out quickly. Xavier was one of those schools who did that and made me a priority and they’ve stood out so far.”