Peyton Watson

Last updated

Peyton Watson
Peyton Watson.jpg
Watson with UCLA in 2021
No. 8–Denver Nuggets
Position Shooting guard / small forward
League NBA
Personal information
Born (2002-09-11) September 11, 2002 (age 22)
Beverly Hills, California, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Listed weight200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school Long Beach Poly
(Long Beach, California)
College UCLA (2021–2022)
NBA draft 2022: 1st round, 30th overall pick
Selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder
Playing career2022–present
Career history
2022–present Denver Nuggets
2022–2023 →Grand Rapids Gold
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Stats at Basketball Reference   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing Flag of the United States.svg  United States
FIBA Under-19 World Cup
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2021 Latvia Team

Peyton Tyler Watson (born September 11, 2002 [1] ) is an American professional basketball player for the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A McDonald's All-American in high school, he played one season of college basketball for the UCLA Bruins. Watson was selected in the first round of the 2022 NBA draft with the 30th overall pick.

Contents

High school career

Watson attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School in Long Beach, California, joining the varsity team as a freshman. [2] After coming off the bench earlier in his career, [3] he assumed a leading role in his junior season. [4] He averaged 23.2 points and eight rebounds per game, [5] earning Moore League MVP honors. [6] He was named to the rosters for the McDonald's All-American, Jordan Brand Classic and Nike Hoop Summit. [7]

Recruiting

Watson was a consensus five-star recruit, one of the top small forwards and the highest-ranked player from California in the 2021 recruiting class. [8] On July 27, 2020, he committed to playing college basketball for UCLA over offers from Arizona, Gonzaga, Michigan, Oregon and Washington. [9] He was frank with the Bruins coaching staff that he intended to be a one-and-done player, leaving for the NBA after one year in college. [10]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
NameHometownHigh school / collegeHeightWeightCommit date
Peyton Watson
SF 		Long Beach, CA Long Beach Poly (CA)6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)180 lb (82 kg)Jul 27, 2020 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: 5 stars.svg     247Sports: 5 stars.svg     ESPN: 5 stars.svg    ESPN grade: 94
Overall recruiting rankings:   Rivals: 12   247Sports: 8   ESPN: 12
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "UCLA 2021 Basketball Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  • "2021 UCLA Bruins Recruiting Class". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  • "2021 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved September 17, 2021.

College career

As a freshman at the University of California, Los Angeles in 2021–22, Watson arrived out of shape, primarily due to his high school senior season being disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. [10] He joined an experienced UCLA group that had advanced to the Final Four of the NCAA tournament a year earlier. [11] All five starters returned, and he received no guarantees about his playing time. [12] Watson's defense was more advanced than his offense. However, the Bruins had other established scorers. [11] He received honorable mention for the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team. [13] He averaged 3.3 points and 2.9 rebounds in 12.6 minutes per game, and made just 32.2% of his field goals and 22.6% of his three-pointers. His playing time was sporadic, and he logged 10 minutes or more in just two out of the last seven games of the season. [14] After the season, Watson declared for the NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility. [15]

Professional career

Watson was selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder in first round of the 2022 NBA draft with the 30th overall pick. [16] He was then traded to the Denver Nuggets along with two future second-round picks for JaMychal Green and a 2027 protected first-round draft pick. [17] Possessing a wide wingspan, Watson was projected as a long-term project and expected to spend time developing with the Grand Rapids Gold of the NBA G League. [18] Watson ended his rookie season as an NBA champion when the Nuggets defeated the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals.

National team career

Watson represented the United States at the 2021 FIBA Under-19 World Cup in Latvia. He averaged four points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game, helping his team win the gold medal. [19]

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
 † Won an NBA championship

NBA

Regular season

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2022–23 † Denver 2328.1.492.429.5501.6.5.1.53.3
2023–24 Denver 80418.6.465.296.6703.21.1.51.16.7
Career103616.3.468.307.6512.9.9.41.05.9

Playoffs

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2023 † Denver 502.7.400.500—.8.2.0.21.0
2024 Denver 1009.0.250.250.5001.5.4.0.61.8
Career1506.9.276.286.5001.3.3.0.51.5

College

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2021–22 UCLA 32012.7.322.226.6882.9.8.6.63.3

Source: [20]

Personal life

Watson's father, Julio, is a medical device representative, and his mother is an event planner. He has a younger brother, Christian, who plays basketball at Long Beach Polytechnic High School, and a younger sister, Jolie Grace. [21]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mack Calvin</span> American basketball player (born 1947)

Mack Calvin is an American former basketball player. A five-time ABA All-Star, Calvin recorded the second most assists in ABA history, and was later named to the ABA All-Time Team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">J. R. Sakuragi</span> American-Japanese basketball player

J. R. Sakuragi is an American-Japanese professional basketball player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011–12 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2011–12 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team represented the University of California, Los Angeles during the 2011–12 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Bruins competed in the Pac-12 Conference and were led by head coach Ben Howland. The team ended the season with a 19–14 record and did not participate in the NCAA National Championship tournament or the NIT.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aaron Holiday</span> American basketball player (born 1996)

Aaron Shawn Holiday is an American professional basketball player for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The guard played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins, where he earned All-American recognition. He was selected by the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the 2018 NBA draft with the 23rd overall pick.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas Welsh (basketball)</span> American basketball player (born 1996)

Thomas Welsh is an American professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins. As a senior in 2017–18, Welsh earned second-team all-conference honors in the Pac-12. He was selected by the Denver Nuggets in the second round of the 2018 NBA draft with the 58th overall pick.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lonzo Ball</span> American basketball player (born 1997)

Lonzo Anderson Ball is an American professional basketball player for the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A point guard, he played college basketball for one season with the UCLA Bruins, earning consensus first-team All-American honors before the Los Angeles Lakers selected him with the second overall pick of the 2017 NBA draft. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016–17 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2016–17 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team represented the University of California, Los Angeles during the 2016–17 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Bruins were led by fourth-year head coach Steve Alford and played their home games at Pauley Pavilion as members in the Pac-12 Conference. They rode their offense to a 28–3 regular season record, averaging 91 points per game with a 53 percent field goal percentage. The talented squad featured five future players in the National Basketball Association (NBA), including three eventual first-round draft picks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">T. J. Leaf</span> Israeli-American basketball player (born 1997)

Ty Jacob Leaf is an Israeli-American professional basketball player for the Nanjing Monkey Kings of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). After playing one season of college basketball for the UCLA Bruins, he was selected by the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the 2017 NBA draft with the 18th overall pick.

Christopher Ike Anigbogu is an American professional basketball player for the Birmingham Squadron of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for one season with the UCLA Bruins. As a freshman, he was a key reserve for a Bruins squad that advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament. After the season, Anigbogu was selected by the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the 2017 NBA draft with the 47th overall pick. He played two seasons for the Pacers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shareef O'Neal</span> American basketball player (born 2000)

Shareef Rashaun O'Neal is an American professional basketball player who last played for the NBA G League Ignite of the NBA G League. The son of Hall of Fame player Shaquille O'Neal, he attended Crossroads School in Santa Monica, California. As a senior forward, O'Neal was ranked among the top high school basketball players of his class. He was a redshirt during his first season in college basketball with the UCLA Bruins, when he underwent heart surgery. He played as a reserve for the Bruins in 2019–20 before transferring midseason to the LSU Tigers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaylen Hands</span> American basketball player (born 1999)

Jaylen Joseph Hands is an American professional basketball player for Pallacanestro Varese of the Lega Basket Serie A (LBA). He played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins. As a high school senior in 2017, he was selected to play in the McDonald's All-American Game, and was ranked as a consensus five-star prospect and the No. 3 point guard in the country in the class of 2017 by all major scouting services, including ESPN and 247Sports. Hands earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors in his sophomore year with UCLA in 2019. He was selected in the second round of the 2019 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Clippers with the 56th pick before being traded to the Brooklyn Nets. He played a season in the NBA G League with Brooklyn's affiliate, the Long Island Nets before beginning his European career in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johnny Juzang</span> American basketball player (born 2001)

Jonathan Anh Juzang is an American professional basketball player for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He began his college basketball career playing one season with the Kentucky Wildcats before transferring and spending two seasons with the UCLA Bruins. A two-time all-conference selection in the Pac-12, Juzang earned third-team All-American honors as a junior in 2022. As a sophomore, he was named to the All-Tournament Team of the 2021 NCAA tournament, as the Bruins advanced to the Final Four.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaime Jaquez Jr.</span> Mexican American basketball player (born 2001)

Jaime Jaquez Jr. is a Mexican-American professional basketball player for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins of the Pac-12 Conference. Jaquez was named a consensus second-team All-American and voted the Pac-12 Player of the Year as a senior in 2023. He earned three All-Pac-12 selections, including first-team honors twice. Jaquez was also a two-time member of the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team. He was selected by the Heat in the first round of the 2023 NBA draft with the 18th overall pick. He is nicknamed ”Juan Wick” for his Mexican heritage and perceived resemblance to John Wick.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyger Campbell</span> American basketball player

Tyger Campbell is an American professional basketball player for Rasta Vechta of the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL). He played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins of the Pac-12 Conference. Three times he earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors.

Adem Bona is a Nigerian-Turkish basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins. Named a McDonald's All-American in high school, he was named to the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team and voted the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year in 2023. Bona was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection and voted the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Myles Johnson</span> American basketball player

Myles Johnson is an American former basketball player. He played college basketball for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the UCLA Bruins. He was named to the all-defensive team in both the Big Ten Conference with Rutgers and the Pac-12 Conference with UCLA.

Amari Bailey is an American professional basketball player for the Long Island Nets of the NBA G League. In high school, he was selected as a McDonald's All-American and California Mr. Basketball. He played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins, earning all-freshman honors in the Pac-12 Conference in his only season. He was selected by the Charlotte Hornets in the second round of the 2023 NBA draft.

Gregory Paul Dulcich is an American professional football tight end for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UCLA Bruins and was twice an all-conference selection in the Pac-12, including first-team honors in 2021. He was selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jules Bernard</span> American basketball player

Jules Liam Bernard is an American professional basketball for the Cleveland Charge of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaylen Clark</span> American basketball player (born 2001)

Jaylen Bryce Clark is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with the Iowa Wolves of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins of the Pac-12 Conference, earning national honors as both the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year and NABC Defensive Player of the Year as a junior in 2023, when he was also voted the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. A two-time Pac-12 All-Defensive Team selection, Clark was named second-team All-Pac-12 as well that year. He was selected by the Timberwolves in the second round of the 2023 NBA draft.

References

  1. ↑ "Peyton Watson". fiba.basketball. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
  2. ↑ Bien-Kahn, Joseph (June 11, 2020). "Peyton Watson's Crash Course in Stardom". Bleacher Report . Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  3. ↑ Morales, Robert (December 30, 2019). "Long Beach Poly guard Peyton Watson helping young Jackrabbits grow". Press-Telegram . Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  4. ↑ Guardabascio, Mike (July 9, 2019). "Next One Up: Peyton Watson, Long Beach Poly Basketball". The 562. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  5. ↑ "USA TODAY High School Sports Awards: Los Angeles boys basketball nominees". USA Today . April 22, 2020. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  6. ↑ Morales, Robert (April 23, 2021). "UCLA's tournament run brought joy to Long Beach Poly coach Shelton Diggs". Press-Telegram . Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  7. ↑ Guardabascio, Mike (February 24, 2021). "Long Beach Poly's Peyton Watson Named McDonald's All-American". The 562. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  8. ↑ Bolch, Ben (July 27, 2020). "Familiarity breeds content as top prospect Peyton Watson picks UCLA". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  9. ↑ Borzello, Jeff (July 27, 2020). "Top California prospect Peyton Watson commits to UCLA". ESPN . Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  10. 1 2 Davis, Seth (June 24, 2022). "What Peyton Watson brings to the Denver Nuggets: 'The mystery man of the draft'" . The Athletic. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  11. 1 2 Bolch, Ben (February 2, 2022). "Making defense seem elementary, Peyton Watson quickly becomes a UCLA star". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  12. ↑ DeCourcy, Mike (November 23, 2021). "Top freshman Peyton Watson takes shot at helping UCLA skip First Four and head straight toward Final Four". Sporting News. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  13. ↑ Allen, Trevor (March 8, 2022). "Utah Basketball Standouts Carlson, Stefanovic Receive All-Pac-12 Honors". KSLSports.com. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  14. ↑ Bolch, Ben (April 12, 2022). "Peyton Watson announces he's leaving UCLA after one season, entering NBA draft". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  15. ↑ Royer, Benjamin (April 12, 2022). "UCLA Men's Basketball G/F Peyton Watson Declares For 2022 NBA Draft, To Hire Agent" . Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  16. ↑ Grosbard, Adam (June 23, 2022). "NBA Draft: UCLA's Peyton Watson to Nuggets, USC's Isaiah Mobley to Cavs". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  17. ↑ Gutterman, Ron (June 23, 2022). "Nuggets Acquire Peyton Watson In Trade With Thunder". NBA.com. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  18. ↑ Singer, Mike (July 25, 2022). "Nuggets rookie Peyton Watson flashes vast potential at Summer League showcase". The Denver Post. Retrieved October 18, 2022.
  19. ↑ "Peyton Watson (USA)'s profile – FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2021". FIBA . Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  20. ↑ "Peyton Watson College Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  21. ↑ Archbold, Rich (December 4, 2020). "Peyton Watson, Poly High star, helps Long Beach Boys & Girls Clubs; you can help, too!". Press-Telegram . Retrieved April 28, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.