Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
By ADAM ZAGORIASKILLMAN, N.J. — Akil Watson, the 6-foot-9 Class of 2023 forward from Roselle (N.J.) Catholic and the New Heights Lightning, took an unofficial visit to Miami this past week along with his younger brother Tarik Watson, a 6-9 2024 forward.
Akil Watson is ranked the No. 9 power forward in the 247Sports.com Composite rankings
“The Miami visit went well, it was an unofficial but it went well,” James Watson, the players’ father, said at the Jersey Live event Saturday at Montgomery High School.
“Coach L [Jim Larranaga] has been on Akil for a minute now, so the visit went really well. We got to see how they run a practice, it was only like their second practice so he was real diligent with making sure the guys know what they were doing. It was a great facility, great campus atmosphere. Coach L always preaches the family so that’s right up our alley.”
Asked if he feels Miami is prioritizing Akil, James said, “They’re up there, they got a few things going on, so we just gotta make sure the fit is right, the timing is right. That team’s been on Akil all year long, so things are looking good.”
While in Miami, the Watsons got to work out with NBA Draft prospects like Collin Gillespie of Villanova, Justin Minaya of Providence and others.
Watson also holds offers from Florida State, USC, Maryland, Illinois, Providence, Georgetown, UConn, Seton Hall, Auburn, Creighton, St. John’s and Nebraska.
“We got three or four visits coming up in August and September,” James said. “The dates aren’t clear yet.”
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Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.
