Christian Watford

Christian Watford

Watford with Indiana in 2010.
No. 21 – Fort Wayne Mad Ants
Position Small forward
League NBA Development League
Personal information
Born (1991-04-28) April 28, 1991
Birmingham, Alabama
Nationality American
Listed height 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight 220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High school Shades Valley (Birmingham, Alabama)
College Indiana (2009–2013)
NBA draft 2013 / Undrafted
Playing career 2013–present
Career history
2013–2014 Hapoel Eilat
2014–2015 Maine Red Claws
2015 Reno Bighorns
2016–present Fort Wayne Mad Ants
Career highlights and awards
  • Third-team All-Big Ten (2013)
  • Big Ten All-Freshman Team (2010)

Christian Ramon Watford (born April 28, 1991) is an American professional basketball player for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA Development League. He played college basketball for Indiana University.

High school career

Watford played high school basketball at Shades Valley High School in the Birmingham, Alabama suburb of Irondale where he graduated from in 2009 with a 3.5 GPA. As a junior, he averaged 22 points and 14 rebounds. As a senior, he averaged 25 points and 13 rebounds and helped guide them to a 26-6 season and was named to the Birmingham News Super Senior team. After his senior year, ESPN ranked Watford 26th overall and 4th small forward in the nation in the 2009 class. He was ranked the 34th overall recruit by Rivals.com and the 6th small forward, while Scout.com ranked him 72nd overall and the 15th small forward.

College career

On September 9, 2008, Watford committed to play for Indiana University under Coach Tom Crean, turning down offers from Alabama, Louisville, and Memphis. Upon committing he said of Indiana, "They have a real good basketball tradition there and I think coach Crean is going to come in and restore the program. Basically, I just like their tradition. It's Indiana, you know."[1]

Freshman season

In his freshman year at Indiana, the 2009-10 season, Watford had an immediate impact and was one of only two players to start all 31 games. He led the team in rebounding (6.0/game), total blocks (19) and double-doubles (4). He was also the top Big Ten Conference freshman in scoring (12.0, 19th overall), rebounding (6.0, 11th overall) and free throw percentage (.800, seventh overall). At the conclusion of the season he was selected to the All-Big Ten Freshman team by the league coaches and named Big Ten Freshman of the Year by Sporting News and FoxSports.com.

Sophomore season

In his sophomore year at Indiana, the 2010-11 season, Watford played in 29 games and started in 28 but had to miss three games after breaking his hand. He finished 10th in the league in scoring with 16 points per game and was second in the Big Ten in free throw percentage at 84.3 percent.

Junior season

In his junior year at Indiana, the 2011-12 season, Watford averaged 12.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 28.4 minutes per game.[2] He averaged 41.6% from the field and 81.5% from the free throw line. On December 10, 2011, Indiana defeated top-ranked Kentucky at the last second on a 3-pointer by Watford, giving the Hoosiers a stunning 73-72 upset victory. Watford finished the game with 20 points and 5 rebounds while going 4 for 6 on 3-pointers. Watford's last second shot sent Indiana fans storming the court and crowding around players. Kentucky's loss was their only one of the regular season and prevented them from matching a record last set by Indiana's 1975-1976 team. The shot won the 2012 ESPY Award for "Best Play" and was named the 2012 GEICO Play of the Year. Video of Indiana fans reacting to the shot around the country went viral.[3] After the game Watford said, "I haven't felt anything like that. It's probably the most memorable moment of my life, definitely of my career."[2] The Hoosiers earned a number four seed in the 2012 NCAA Tournament and defeated New Mexico State in the second round. After defeating VCU in the third round, the Hoosiers lost to Kentucky in the Sweet Sixteen. At the end of the season Watford was named to the NCAA's All-South Region Team.[4]

Senior season

Although reports suggested Watford would enter the 2012 NBA Draft, he opted instead to return and play for the Hoosiers. In a statement issued by the Indiana Athletic Department, he said, "I'm looking forward to the opportunity to complete my degree and to continue restoring the winning tradition at IU. I believe in Coach Crean and our staff and I am eager to lead my new teammates and build on what we started."[5] He entered the season as the leading returning scorer in the Big Ten with 1,287 points.

Due in part to Watford's leadership, the Hoosiers finished the 2012-13 season as the outright Big Ten champions. He averaged 12.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game while shooting 48.6% from the three-point line, which ranked tops in the Big Ten ahead of his teammate Jordan Hulls.[6] Watford also shot 82% from the free throw line, ranking third in the league and ninth in rebounding.[6] The coaches and media named him a Third Team All-Big Ten honoree.

Indiana earned a number 1 seed, and then went on to defeat James Madison and Temple University, before falling to Syracuse in the Sweet 16.

Watford earned his Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology with a concentration in sports broadcasting in May 2013.[7][8][9]

Professional career

2013–14 season

After going undrafted in the 2013 NBA draft, Watford joined the Indiana Pacers for the Orlando Summer League and the Dallas Mavericks for the Las Vegas Summer League. On July 30, 2013, he signed with Hapoel Eilat of Israel for the 2013–14 season.[10] In 37 games (23 starts), he averaged 9.9 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.[11]

2014–15 season

In July 2014, Watford joined the Detroit Pistons for the Orlando Summer League and the Golden State Warriors for the Las Vegas Summer League. On September 29, 2014, he signed with the Boston Celtics.[12] However, he was later waived by the Celtics on October 27, 2014.[13] Four days later, he was acquired by the Maine Red Claws as an affiliate player.[14] On March 4, 2015 he was traded to the Reno Bighorns in exchange for the returning player rights to DeQuan Jones.[15] On March 28, Watford was waived by Reno.

Personal

Watford is the son of Ernest and Belinda Watford, and has a sister, Elise, and a brother, Trendon.[8]

References

  1. ↑ Young, Justin (26 August 2008). "Watford Looking Hard at Five". Yahoo. Retrieved 3 April 2012.
  2. 1 2 Bozich, Alex (3 April 2012). "That's a Wrap: Christian Watford". Inside the Hall. Retrieved 3 April 2012.
  3. ↑ "Fan Reaction to Indiana Beating Kentucky on Buzzer Beater". YouTube. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
  4. ↑ "Watford Named to NCAA All-South Region Team". IU Athletic Department. 25 March 2012. Retrieved 3 April 2012.
  5. ↑ "Watford, Zeller Will Be Back For Indiana Men's Basketball". Indiana Univ Athletic Dept. 10 April 2012. Retrieved 10 April 2012.
  6. 1 2 "Several Hoosiers Earn B1G Postseason Honors, Highlighted by Oladipo and Sheehey". IU Athletic Dept. March 12, 2013. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology (BSK), Sport Communication-Broadcast Major". School of Public Health – Bloomington Bulletin 2012-2013. Indiana University. 2012. Retrieved December 1, 2014.
  8. 1 2 "Christian Watford Bio". Indiana Hoosiers. Retrieved December 1, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Indiana Men's Basketball Honors Five Graduates". Indiana Hoosiers. May 4, 2013. Retrieved December 1, 2014.
  10. ↑ Hapoel Eilat sign Christian Watford
  11. ↑ Hapoel Fattal Eilat (2013-14) – Christian Watford
  12. ↑ Celtics Finalize Training Camp Roster
  13. ↑ Celtics Finalize Opening Night Roster
  14. ↑ "Red Claws Announce Affiliate Players, Returning Player Invitees". NBA.com. October 31, 2014. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
  15. ↑ "Bighorns Trade for Christian Watford". OurSportsCentral.com. March 4, 2015. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
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