By ALEX KLINE
Maurice Watson has gone from zero to hero in the month of July.
A 5-foot-9 point guard from Team Philly in Pennsylvania, the rising senior attends little-known Boys’ Latin School. Looked at by some college assistants as being “to small with no jump shot,” Watson has made up for his lack of size with a big heart.
Coming into July with zero offers but plenty of interest from low and mid-major schools after an impressive spring of AAU, Watson has officially blown up.
“This experience has been great,” he stated. “It’s been amazing how I had nothing with everyone saying I couldn’t be successful.”
Not only is he a handful to deal with on the court, but Watson is a tremendous student, as well. He has attracted Ivy League interest demonstrating the true identity of a student-athlete.
After a few impressive games to start the live period, he picked up offers from Vermont and Rice at the Adidas Invitational in Indianapolis. Then things began to take off.
From there, the floor general’s Team Philly squad went on to win a loaded Hoop Group Summer Classic tournament in front of hundreds of coaches.
Boston University, Niagara and Morehead State were next to offer him, followed by La Salle and Hofstra. Following those offers, Tennessee Tech and Quinnipiac came into the situation as Watson received nine scholarships.
Most recently, Watson picked up offers from Iona, UMBC, Northeastern, Towson, Long Beach State and his first high-major, Texas Tech.
When Billy Gillispie and staff saw the point guard and Team Philly inadvertently when played Texas D1 Ambassadors, the talented rising star put on a show in Las Vegas at the Fab 48 and earned himself his most notable scholarship yet.
“Now that I’m getting the praise, it feels good because of all the hard work I put in,” he said. “Scouts and coaches said I would be too small to compete, but it’s the size of my heart that makes the player I am.”
(Photo courtesy Team Philly)