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Monday, July 28, 1997

Recruit's Bruin dream comes true

BASKETBALL:

Versatility, loyalty, work ethic helps Kansas star reach lofty goal of blue and goldBy James Tamkin

Daily Bruin Staff

With all the latest buzz and hype over the last two recruits to sign on to the UCLA men's basketball team, everyone forgot about sweet-shooting Earl Watson. He signed early, even when things did not seem so bright for the Bruins because his heart was with UCLA. It was his dream to play in Pauley Pavilion.

The 6-foot-2-inch guard from Kansas City, Kan., had always hoped to play basketball for the Bruins. As a senior, he averaged 23 points and 14 rebounds at Washington High, earning him the right to play almost anywhere in the country, even at Kansas University. However, Watson wanted to bring his powerhouse skills to the Bruin court and showcase them this fall.

Dreams of wearing blue and gold started early for Watson. He remembers watching Bruin basketball in the second grade and admiring their typical fast-paced style. He started playing with friends, family, and at the local YMCA to achieve his aspiration of becoming a Bruin. After making the varsity team as a freshman at Washington High, Watson's talents continued to develop.

Although nine teammates transferred in the last two years from Washington High, Watson's loyalty and hard work for the team won him great respect from head coach Leonard Sparkman. Sparkman's disciplined approach clearly worked for Watson.

He told the Kansas City Star, "Coaching Earl has been a very easy task. He knows the game of basketball and wants to win. Earl is playing with a lot of confidence. His leadership has jumped clear to the top of the scale."

Stressing continuous hard work, Watson in his senior year earned first-team selection on the Kansas City Star's All-Metro team after an honorable mention as a junior. In his senior year, he led the Wildcats to their first Kansas City League Conference Title since 1975.

Watson still continues to refine his game and improve his skills in order to prepare for the next level of basketball. Instead of shooting the three-pointer whenever he gets a chance, he looks for the open man. Watson's flexibility proves especially attractive to the Bruins. He can play point or shooting guard to complement Baron Davis. Watson looks forward to playing with the freshman point guard who was the Bruins' prize recruit. Watson and Davis met last year at the Nike All-American Camp in Indianapolis, Ind.

Coach Steve Lavin is looking forward to having Watson on his team. "He is a quality young man who will be a great addition to the Bruin family. We feel he has a bright collegiate future playing combination guard for us," says Lavin.

Although Watson always had visions of playing for the Bruins, it would seem logical that he would consider attending nearby University of Kansas and becoming a Jayhawk. He would be close to his family and play in front of a home town. Yet Watson said, "The chemistry between me and the (Kansas) basketball program was not there."

Instead, Watson connected with Bruin coach Steve Lavin. "He's a player's coach," says Watson. Even though the firing of former coach Jim Harrick caused Watson some concern, he decided to honor his UCLA commitment.

"Playing at UCLA was my childhood dream," Watson said. "As long as Steve Lavin was on the coaching staff, I'd come to UCLA."

It is a possibility that Watson's friend, 6-foot-6-inch JaRon Rush, one of the best juniors in the nation from Pembroke Hills School in Kansas City, Mo., will join him at UCLA.

"It will probably be a big influence on him since I am at UCLA," Watson said. "But he will still have to make his own decision."

Watson's determination helps him work hard on and off the court. He plans to study business and law. "School comes first," insists Watson.

This summer he is enjoying his favorite hobby, reading. He particularly likes biographies of famous leaders, like Martin Luther King and Frederick Douglas. Besides reading about men with dreams, Earl Watson has reached the first step in achieving his own dream: to have a major impact on Bruin basketball history.

The Kansas City Star

Earl Watson, future Bruin guard.