Recruiting Report: 2019 Joshua Watts (Gonzaga HS)
Joseph Katz
Josh Watts, 6'4", WF/WG, Gonzaga College HS, Washington DC, 2019.
Josh was a key reserve for Gonzaga HS last season which finished the year at 32-5 and ranked #8 in the nation by Max Preps. He made some very critical shots and key plays in helping Gonzaga win the prestigious Alhambra Tournament in the Championship game vs. highly regarded Mt. St. Joseph from Baltimore. MSJ (36-4) was ranked in the nations top 25 at various points in the year and in our opinion probably the 2nd best team in Maryland/DC behind Gonzaga.
We saw Josh utilize his very good mid range game last year, and play very tough defense in addition to bringing a lot energy to the Eagles. Josh says. " I hope to bring the same energy & intangibles Eddie Scott brought to us last year. However, Eddie was more of a forward and I am guard who can play some 3. He was a great team role model for me and will be playing in the Ivy League at the University of Pennsylvania next season."
Like Eddie, Josh is a great student and carries a very impressive 3.6 GPA. Josh says, " I study 2 to 3 hours a night during the school year and one of the main reasons I came to Gonzaga was for their great academics. Our great Coach Steve Turner, basketball staff and administration stress academics. I am very proud to have just received an offer from Columbia University of the Ivy League."
Josh already has a potential career in mind and says, " I want to major in Pre Med with the desire of becoming a Sports Medicine Doctor. This is a very serious goal and something I really want to do in the future."
On the hardwood Josh is a very very good player, who could challenge for a starting position this coming season for the Eagles. Josh says, "I know my strength and weaknesses and I am always working on areas I need to improve. My strengths are my defense, taking a player out of his game with my defense and my mid range game off the dribble. Also, I want to be an energizer and establish a higher leadership role this year for us. This summer I am working on my ball handling, 3 point mechanics with my Trainer Alex Harris and my explosion, strength and flexibility in my workouts with Strength Trainer Mac James." On his ability to score Josh says, "currently I can score on 2 levels, but my contested 3 point shot needs the most work."
Josh has played on the Gonzaga varsity since his freshmen year. Several people watching Josh play vs. very tough Paint Branch HS team tonight at the DeMatha BSN Summer League thought Josh was coming into his own as a player. He has an excellent player he studies in Kwahi Leonard from the San Antonio Spurs. "I study Kwahi on defense and I have watched him improve as a scorer on all 3 levels over the years thru hard work. He is a great all around player and leader."
Josh is very, very happy playing at Gonzaga HS in the WCAC which Josh says,"is the best conference in country and at Gonzaga academics, comes before basketball." Josh is highly respected at Gonzaga on and off the court and he is a great role model. Additionally, do not forget that Josh is an excellent basketball player who will play in college.
This spring Josh is playing on the Nike EBYL Circuit with Team Takeover 16 & U who is currently 11-1 with the lone loss caused by Flight issue forfeit. TTO will play in the Peach Jam finals from July 12-16.
This spring Josh is playing on the Nike EBYL Circuit with Team Takeover 16 & U who is currently 11-1 with the lone loss caused by Flight issue forfeit. TTO will play in the Peach Jam finals from July 12-16.
