Former NBA player and coach joins Toreros as an assistant coach
He was projected to be a second-round pick in 2001, so not in line for the immediate life-changing money of first-rounders. Truth is, he was broker than broke in Los Angeles from June until a potential paycheck landed four or five months later.
“Coach Lav is the best recruiter in America,” Watson said with a chuckle. “He recruited me twice, at UCLA and here.” Once on campus, Lavin connected him with Mount Rushmore coaching legend John Wooden. Watson began visiting the icon once or twice a month, soaking up the stories and wisdom. “Home is where family is,” Watson said. “That creates a healthy environment and sense of peace. I don’t think I could’ve went to just any college and start coaching. I think it had to be with family. You can have tough conversations because you have a history of love and hard conversations.One day, the coach told Watson and future NBA player Baron Davis that he was trying to add a third point guard to a lineup that already was sorting out how to play with two.
“I believe coaches coach, no matter what the platform or stage is,” Watson said. “You’re a teacher. You impact lives.”As the coach of the Suns in 2016-17, he began to have deeper conversations with a young player named Devin Booker. Watson pushed for him to believe in something more.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Bryce Miller: Interim coach Landon Donovan ‘open to anything’ with San Diego Wave FCU.S. men’s star takes over a team that struggled a season after topping NWSL
Read more »
Bryce Miller: Padres’ bench mix of old, new shows promise as stretch run nearsVeterans Donovan Solano, David Peralta, Tyler Wade anchor group plugging holes during successful run
Read more »
Bryce Miller: Del Mar chaplain Eli Hernandez sees people in the racing shadowsEli Hernandez endured his own heartbreak before seeing a broader path to help others
Read more »
Bryce Miller: New USD athletic director Kimya Massey sees broader horizonsFormer COO at Oregon State says Toreros ‘will be in the game’ with NIL, sponsorships, more
Read more »
Bryce Miller: Rookie Jackson Merrill is surging Padres’ MVPIn soaring season, 21-year-old center fielder has been bankable constant
Read more »
Bryce Miller tosses six scoreless in Seattle Mariners 6-1 win over CardinalsDylan Moore homered and Bryce Miller pitched six scoreless innings as the Seattle Mariners extended their winning streak to three games with a 6-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night.
Read more »