While Penn waits for its potential first Public League recruit in 30 years, Constitution High's Xavier Harris, to attain the necessary SAT score to gain admission, another could join the Quakers in 2012.
Maurice Watson Jr. — a 5-foot-10 point guard for Boys’ Latin Charter and the Pub League Division B’s leading scorer at 21.9 points per game — considers Penn his top choice, according to father and coach Maurice Watson Sr.
The junior has connections with players and coaches all over the city but has moved on from his dream to go to Villanova after Ryan Arcidiacono — rated by ESPN as the fourth-best point guard prospect in the Class of 2012 — committed to the Wildcats in October.
Watson has also received interest from Princeton, Cornell, Yale, Dartmouth, Rice and NCAA tournament teams Boston University and Bucknell. He may make a decision as soon as April but will likely opt to wait until after this summer’s AAU season.
Watson’s preference for Penn stems from its academics and close location to his West Philadelphia home — he frequently hangs out in University City, just a 10-minute drive from his house.
Perhaps most important is his relationship with Jerome Allen. The Watsons have known Allen since Maurice Jr. participated in Allen’s “Hood Enriched” program — a group that offers academic and athletic opportunities to Philadelphia’s inner city youth — as an 8-year-old. Maurice Sr. called Allen a “hometown hero” and Philadelphia “icon.”
“I can’t name a kid that wouldn’t want to play for him,” Watson Sr. said, adding that he could see Allen building a “dynasty” if he can manage to attract city talent and get them into Penn.
However, the process has been “frustrating” for Allen, Watson said, because Penn’s academic standards are so high and city recruits often have a hard time getting into the school.
Watson said his son’s standardized test scores are about 100 points shy of what the Penn coaches told him he would need for admission.
As a player, Watson Jr. is an “explosive” point guard who can score in bunches — he posted a game high of 43 points this season. He also distributes the ball well. His father said Maurice is “naturally born with the gift of being a point guard” who “knows the game better than some coaches.”
And with 1,659 career points already, Watson is within range of Wilt Chamberlain’s career total of 2,206, which ranks second in Philly high school history to 2003 Strawberry Mansion graduate Maureece Rice (2,681).
The gaudy numbers and high basketball I.Q. are the products of a decade of work with Philadelphia basketball greats, including Allen, Villanova coach Jay Wright, former Villanova and Toronto Raptors point guard Alvin Williams, former 76ers’ great Allen Iverson and legendary coach Larry Brown.
“He watches all the classics,” Watson Sr. said. “He’s a sponge.”
Currently, the Watsons are looking to set up a campus visit with Allen and assistant coach Mike Martin, who has already attended several of Watson’s games.
The financial package Penn offers could become a factor, and Watson said Rice has already offered a full ride. Still, he made it clear that Watson’s focus is on joining the Quakers, especially since he has a relationship with Harris that dates back almost a decade.
The addition of a dynamic point guard would be huge for Penn — and Watson said Allen specifically told him he’s looking for a point — given that Zack Rosen will have graduated by 2012.
For more in-depth coverage of Penn men’s basketball see the DP Sports blog at theDP.com/thebuzz
