2014 PG Devin Watson Signs with San Francisco Dons
By Josh Horton
Jan. 26, 2013; Spokane, WA, USA; San Francisco Dons head coach Rex Walters reacts after a foul call during a game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the first half at the McCarthey Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
The San Francisco Dons have finally filled their last scholarship for the 2014 class, signing San Diego point guard Devin Watson.
The news was first reported by Full-time Hoops. According to the same source, assistant coach David Rebibo was the main recruiter with Watson.
While playing for El Camino High School in Oceanside, Calif., Watson averaged 24 points, eight assists and four rebounds, leading his team to a 27-6 record and an appearance in the San Diego Section Open Division semifinals before falling to La Costa Canyon. He played at the Army and Navy academy in El Cajon, Calif. his freshman, sophomore and junior seasons before transferring to El Camino.
Watson was a player that was heavily recruited early on but slipped through the cracks later in the recruiting process. Watson initially committed to Oregon State in September, but it appeared the Beavers eventually favored Junior College point guard Gary Payton II (yes, they are related), resulting in Watson’s decommitment. According to Verbal Commits, Watson held 11 offers, including ones from San Diego, LMU, UConn and Texas A&M.
In terms of need and talent, this is a big time pickup for the Dons. Watson is one of the best players in the San Diego area and is one of the top point guards on the West Coast. After Avry Holmes transferred to Clemson in April, the Dons had a need at point guard to fill. Now Head Coach Rex Walters will have two pure point guards at his disposal in freshmen Frankie Ferrari and Watson.
In addition to Ferrari and Watson, the Dons bring in wing Chase Foster and JuCo power forward Montray Clemons next season as newcomers. Jared Stutzman is also a part of the Dons 2014 class, but he will serve a LDS mission before stepping on campus.
Watson will most likely play a considerable amount of minutes for the Dons from day one, and will be a one of the primary candidates in the Dons point guard competition. Although, it would not be surprising to see Walters use a more seasoned guard in Tim Derksen, Chris Adams, Uche Ofoegbu or Matt Glover at the lead guard spot; after all, he did it last season with Holmes.