Nate Watson

Last updated
Nate Watson
Panionios
Position Center
League Greek Basketball League
EuroCup
Personal information
Born (1998-10-19) October 19, 1998 (age 26)
Portsmouth, Virginia, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight260 lb (118 kg)
Career information
High school
College Providence (2017–2022)
NBA draft 2022: undrafted
Playing career2022–present
Career history
2022–2023 Nymburk
2023–2024 FMP
2024–2025 Karditsa
2025 Zaragoza
2025–present Panionios
Career highlights
Medals
Representing the Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Pan American Games
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2019 Peru Team

Junathaen D. "Nate" Watson Jr. (born October 19, 1998) is an American professional basketball player for Panionios of the Greek Basketball League and the EuroCup. He played college basketball for the Providence Friars.

Contents

High school career

Watson played basketball for Capitol Christian Academy in Upper Marlboro, Maryland before moving to Bishop O'Connell High School in Arlington, Virginia. His transfer was hindered by a financial dispute involving his former school, causing him to miss three days of school. [1] At Bishop O'Connell, Watson was a two-time First Team All-Washington Catholic Athletic Conference selection. [2] He competed for DC Premier on the Amateur Athletic Union circuit. [3] A consensus four-star recruit, he committed to playing college basketball for Providence over offers from Maryland, NC State and Miami (Florida). [4]

College career

As a freshman at Providence, Watson averaged 6.8 points and 1.9 rebounds per game and was named to the Big East All-Freshman Team. [5] In his sophomore season, he averaged 11.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. [6] He missed the beginning of his junior season with a knee injury, averaging nine points and 4.6 rebounds per game. [7] Watson assumed a leading role in his senior season. [8] On February 6, 2021, he recorded a career-high 30 points and eight rebounds in a 92–81 loss to St. John's. [9] As a senior, Watson averaged 16.9 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, earning Second Team All-Big East honors. He opted to return to Providence for a fifth season, using an extra year of eligibility granted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [10] Watson was again named to the Second Team All-Big East. [11]

Professional career

ERA Basketball Nymburk (2022–2023)

On August 3, 2022, he signed with ERA Nymburk of the Czech National Basketball League. [12]

AS Karditsa Iaponiki (2024–2025)

On June 26, 2024, Watson signed with Greek club Karditsa. [13] On December 3, 2024, Watson received a Hoops Agents Player of the Week award for Round 8. He had a game-high 22 points and 9 rebounds. [14]

Casademont Zaragoza (2025)

On February 10, 2025, Watson signed with Basket Zaragoza of the Liga ACB until 2027. He was brought in the club as a replacement for Jilson Bango. [15]

National team career

Watson represented the United States at the 2019 Pan American Games in Peru, helping his team win the bronze medal. [16]

Career statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage 3P%  3-point field goal percentage FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game APG  Assists per game SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game PPG Points per game Bold Career high

College

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2017–18 Providence 35913.8.595.6961.9.1.2.76.8
2018–19 Providence 342023.5.590.000.6525.2.4.3.711.7
2019–20 Providence 271318.9.511.5654.6.5.6.69.0
2020–21 Providence 262632.3.602.6276.7.7.31.016.9
2021–22 Providence 333328.0.548.5835.2.5.3.713.3
Career15510122.9.570.000.6234.6.4.3.711.3

References

  1. Giannotto, Mark (September 23, 2015). "Basketball prospect Nate Watson's transfer from Capitol Christian to O'Connell hindered by financial dispute". The Washington Post . Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  2. McFadden, Ryan (March 1, 2017). "2017 WCAC Boys Basketball All-Conference First Team". Inside the Locker Room. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  3. Parker, Brandon (May 13, 2016). "O'Connell's Nate Watson draws invite to NBPA Top 100 and attention from Kansas, North Carolina, among others". The Washington Post . Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  4. McNamara, Kevin (September 10, 2016). "PC recruit Nate Watson helps make Cooleys birthday a happy one". The Providence Journal . Archived from the original on September 13, 2016. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  5. McNamara, Kevin (February 25, 2019). "PC at Butler: Despite dreary season for Friars, Watson has sparkled". The Providence Journal . Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  6. McNamara, Kevin (October 18, 2019). "PC's Nate Watson named to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Watch List". The Providence Journal . Archived from the original on February 25, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  7. Farrahar, Kevin (June 29, 2020). "How Did Nate Watson's Knee Impact his Junior Year?". Friar Basketball. Archived from the original on September 28, 2021. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  8. McNamara, Kevin (February 26, 2021). "Nate Watson is thriving even without his biggest fan in the stands". Kevin McSports. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  9. "College Basketball: Friars' Watson opts to return to team". The Sun Chronicle . March 17, 2021. Archived from the original on March 18, 2021. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  10. "Nate Watson To Return For His Fifth Season". Providence College Athletics. March 17, 2021. Archived from the original on March 17, 2021. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  11. "PC basketball's Nate Watson, Jared Bynum named to All-Big East second team". The Providence Journal . March 6, 2022. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
  12. "Watson Posilou Pod Koš". Sportando. August 3, 2022. Archived from the original on August 14, 2022. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  13. "Nate Watson (ex FMP BG) signs at Karditsas". www.eurobasket.com. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
  14. "Nate Watson claims Greek GBL weekly honour". www.eurobasket.com. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
  15. "Nate Watson officially joins Zaragoza until 2027". Eurohoops. 10 February 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
  16. "Nate Watson – Men's Basketball". Providence College Athletics. Retrieved May 28, 2021.