Anton Watson should come back to Spokane for 2023-24

After a less-than-optimal showing at the recent G-League Elite Camp, Anton Watson’s next move should be returning to the Gonzaga Bulldogs.

Maybe the handwriting was on the wall when the former Gonzaga Bulldogs stalwart didn’t get invited to the NBA Combine. Instead, he attended the G-League Elite Camp a few days prior to the bigger event.

By most accounts, Watson didn’t do enough to impress the NBA scouts in attendance. Only a few players advanced to the main combine. Despite 22 points in a pair of scrimmage games, he wasn’t one of them.

Just like the NFL, NBA and NHL Combines, before players go on the court, camp organizers took measurables. Watson had the worst body fat percentage and lowest vertical jump among all the participants.

In the scrimmages, he put up some points, but the rest of his game was lacking. Foul issues, and a total of two boards didn’t cut it.

Ordinarily, I would advocate for him to try and carve out a career in Europe or Asia. In this case, Watson would be better off returning to college for a fifth season.

The days of Charles Barkley and Glen Davis are long over. While he may never have the body of Zion Williamson or Giannis Antetokounmpo, there is plenty of room for improvement. Fortunately, Watson has never been afraid of hard work.

Maybe he takes some of his NIL money and hires a personal trainer and/or nutritionist. Under the proper guidance, 240 pounds with 19% body fat could become 240 pounds with less than 10% body fat.

There is also plenty of room for growth on the court. In his four years with the Gonzaga Bulldogs, Watson played with teammates like Drew Timme and Chet Holmgren, who were not only scorers but also primarily played in the paint.

By coming back to Spokane for another season, Watson can improve his inside game both offensively and defensively. Additionally, with only two returning players from last season’s rotation, Ben Gregg and Nolan Hickman, he can be one of Gonzaga’s “go-to guys.”

Lastly, Watson’s leadership has never been in question. Our Teresa Powe calls him the Gonzaga Bulldogs “Quiet Enforcer,” without Timme, Watson can take a much more vocal role. That, combined with the other improvements, should get Watson to the second round in 2024 or at the least a two-way contract.