Anton Watson is coming back to Gonzaga
Anton Watson is back.
In a surprise move, Watson announced on Wednesday night that he is returning to Gonzaga for a fifth season. Watson had until 11:59 p.m. ET to pull his name out of the 2023 NBA Draft and retain his college eligibility.
Gonzaga announced Watson's return on social media.
Watson was one of 47 players invited to the NBA's G League Elite Camp earlier this month. He totaled 22 points and shot 3-for-4 from the 3-point line in two scrimmages in front of NBA scouts and executives. He struggled on the boards, though, pulling down just 2 total rebounds.
Watson's name had not surfaced in any recent NBA mock drafts, and it looked like his professional path was going to be as an undrafted free agent or overseas. Instead, Watson will play one more year of college ball, taking advantage of the extra COVID-19 season granted by the NCAA.
As a fourth-year senior this past season, Watson averaged a career-high 11.1 points and 6.2 rebounds, earning All-WCC honorable mention honors. He posted the best two-point field goal percentage in the conference while guarding the opposition’s most-skilled offensive player night in and night out.
Watson recorded a career-best 66 steals, which is the second-most in the West Coast Conference and the fourth-most steals in Gonzaga's program history. His 162 steals over his four-year career is seventh all-time.
