:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59658741/2000px_USA_Basketball_logo.svg.0.png){kind=logo}
Gonzaga Prep forward and 2019 Gonzaga recruit Anton Watson is one of 32 players trying out for the USA U18 basketball squad. It is the first USA basketball camp for Watson in his career.
The team, which is coached by Kansas head coach Bill Self, will be competing in the FIBA Championship for Men on June 10-16. The top four teams in that tournament will advance to the 2019 FIBA U19 Men’s World Cup.
The invitation is another feather in the cap for Watson, who had a phenomenal junior year. His heroics helped lead Gonzaga Prep to a state championship and national rankings. Although way too early to be talking about such things, Watson is part of the NUMBER TWO ranked recruiting class of 2019.
The 6’7, four-star forward is ranked No. 62 in the nation by 247 Sports. He still has one more year of school to go before arriving in Gonzaga in 2019. Although things can always change, Watson will most likely be an instant contributor when he arrives at Gonzaga.
Most likely, Rui Hachimura and Killian Tillie, who both decided against the NBA this year despite mock draft interest, will leave Gonzaga a year early. That will leave a front court of Brandon Clarke, Jacob Larsen, and Filip Petrusev. Watson’s athleticism will be a welcome addition to that force.