Destined for basketball greatness, The Family 16u guard Mark "Rocket" Watts enjoyed an astronomically productive April.
During the first two NIKE stops (Boo Williams, Indy), D1 coaches clustered along the end lines for Watts, Romeo Weems, Tariq Shepherd.
"It felt great, just knowing they came and took their time to watch me play," said Rocket Watts of his Boo showing. "There were a lot of coaches at the first game. I feel like I played well. I had eight rebounds and 23 points."
Whether they heard earlier or not, Rocket's coaches didn't reveal his newfound attention until weekend's end.
"I didn't know (right away)," said Watts. "My coach told me that the coaches were giving me scholarships to go to their school."
Georgia Tech offered. Mississippi State offered. Michigan State jumped in the mix. Marquette offered.
Did Rocket expect the explosion of high major interest this month?
"Really I was thinking they were going to come," said Watts. "But I was working on my game to get better."
He didn't enter April with a different plan of attack. Watts just played.
"I was just playing how I always played most of my career."
The 'Ramblin Wreck of GT did not extend the first offer, as Rocket earned his first over a year ago.
"My first offer was Oakland, my 9th grade year," said Watts. "Detroit offered another month after that."
Much of Rocket's development has been guided by Old Redford Academy Basketball Coach Craig Covington. Coach Covington coached Class of 2017 wing Jawan Snoddy (Livingstone College signee).
"When Allen academy closed (Coach Covington) promised if I stayed with him and kept working on my game he would get me into a college to do what I love," said Snoddy. "He also showed me that everyone can't go to a division 1 school, so I took the advice and just played my game until someone offered me a scholarship. "Coach Cov is one of the best coaches I've ever played for and is a great coach."
Second Push
After an in-state program like Michigan State offers complacency tends to extend its perilous tendrils around grinding players. Stagnating is so dangerous at Watts' age. Every week peers are improving. College recruiters pull scholarships off the table for many reasons, including lack of development.
"Coming off a couple major offers from last weekend I knew he was going to come in playing at a high level to prove to people he was deserving of those high major offers," said The Family 16u Assistant Coach Craig Covington.
An offer isn't final or contractual, and Rocket Watts can't stop pushing. The attacking guard relentlessly destroyed defenses.
"Most of the time he was the best player on the court," said Coach Covington. "With that being said he showed multi-levels of skills."
After his strong Boo performance, the 16u wunderkind earned a viewing party including numerous Midwest head coaches.
"He picked up two more offers from University of Cincinnati and University of Iowa," said Coach Covington. "Coach (John) Beilein was also there. Coach (Tom) Izzo watched two of his games. Coach (Fran) McCaffery from Iowa was there. Coach Mick Cronin from Cincinnati was there. Basically every game he had at least one head coach there."
Coach Izzo watched two games. Keep in mind Michigan State has already offered, so the Spartan head coach moved from evaluating to impressing.
MSU is now trying to tempt Watts into verbally committing. Just about a year ago MSU earned a verbal commit from then-sophomore Thomas Kithier with the same kind of strong spring push.
When asked if he preferred Michigan or Michigan State growing up, Watts demurred.
"Not really," said Watts. "I feel the same about both of them."
Rocket and Coach Covington got here with skill development and ole-fashioned work.
"At this time last year he was a big-time three-point threat," said Coach Covington. "He is working on bettering his PG skills and getting into the lane. He is taking the work and skill work he has every day and implementing that into his game. He is scoring on all three levels. He still has that tree point shot he was always known for."
Visits
Two years removed from high school graduation, Rocket Watts has seen a couple college basketball games live.
"I have been to Michigan State (basketball) game and I went to Oakland game when they played Georgia," said Watts.
Truthfully Watts could not be poised better for the summer circuit. Only four 2019 point guards from the Midwest have Big 10 offers exiting April: Tyger Campbell, Jeremiah Francis, Tyrell Terry, Marquise Walker, and Rocket Watts.
"It is a great feeling," said Coach Covington. "I am very close to him. With me also being his high school coach it is a real good feeling. I see the work he puts in every day."
