Neil Watson

Neil Watson (born February 2, 1991) is an American professional basketball player for the Plymouth Raiders of the British Basketball League. He competed in college basketball for the University of Southern Mississippi.

For the New Zealand politician, see Neil Watson (politician).
Neil Watson
No. 5 – Plymouth Raiders
PositionPoint guard
LeagueBritish Basketball League
Personal information
Born (1991-02-02) February 2, 1991
Kansas City, Kansas
NationalityAmerican
Listed height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Listed weight161 lb (73 kg)
Career information
High schoolSumner Academy
(Kansas City, Kansas)
College
NBA draft2014 / Undrafted
Playing career2014–present
Career history
2014–2016Leicester Riders
2016Glasgow Rocks
2017–presentPlymouth Raiders

Early life and education

Watson was born on February 2, 1991 in Kansas City, Missouri. He attended college at Coffeyville Community College and the University of Southern Mississippi.[1]

Career

Out of high school, Watson tried out for the Toledo men's basketball team but was rejected. He transferred to the University of Southern Mississippi under coach Larry Eustachy. Watson's first season with the Golden Eagles resulted in an NCAA Tournament berth along with other starters Maurice Bolden (Sr.) Angelo Johnson (Sr.) Dwayne Davis (Jr.) and Johnathan Mills (Jr.). The Golden Eagles finished 25-9, losing in the first round to the Kansas State Wildcats in the NCAA Tournament.

In Watson's junior season, he carried the Golden Eagles with 9 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals per game. The Golden Eagles lost the Conference USA championship to the Memphis Tigers in double overtime. Watson led the Golden Eagles to the NIT quarterfinal, which they lost to the BYU Cougars. Watson had his best season in his senior year and led the Golden Eagles, averaging 11 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals per game. He was also fourth in the nation in free-throw percentage with 92%. The Golden Eagles made another NIT tournament but lost to the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the quarterfinals. After the loss, Watson was named a starter in the Reese's NCAA Basketball All-Star game.

Watson was not drafted or signed by any NBA or development league roster but was named on the U.K.'s oldest professional basketball team, the Leicester Riders.[2] He departed Leicester Riders at the end of the 2015-16 season[3] eventually joining Glasgow Rocks also in the British Basketball League (BBL). [4]

At the start of the 2017 Season Neil Watson joined the Plymouth Raiders and was brought in following his success and experience within the British Basketball League (BBL).[5] On February 14, 2018 it was announced that Neil Watson had been released after testing positive for a banned substance. [6][7]

References
  1. "Southern Miss Neil Watson :: Official Athletic Site". www.southernmiss.com. Retrieved 2018-02-14.
  2. "Watson Signs with Leicester Riders". Retrieved 2018-02-14.
  3. "Riders Bid Farewell to Neil Watson". Leicester Riders. 2016-07-29. Retrieved 2018-02-14.
  4. "Neil Watson rides into town - BBL - British Basketball League". BBL - British Basketball League. 2016-07-29. Retrieved 2018-02-14.
  5. Ball, Jak (2017-08-11). "Plymouth Raiders add BBL champion Neil Watson to their roster". plymouthherald. Retrieved 2018-02-14.
  6. "Plymouth Raiders trio sacked for breaching banned substances policy". BBC Sport. 2018-02-14. Retrieved 2018-02-14.
  7. James, Stuart (2018-02-14). "Plymouth Raiders sack three players after they fail drugs tests". plymouthherald. Retrieved 2018-02-14.
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