Recruiting File: Maurice Watson

While Penn waits for its potential first Public League recruit in 30 years to attain the necessary SAT score to get admitted, another could join the Quakers in 2012. 5'10 Boys' Latin point guard Maurice Watson Jr., the Pub League Division B's leading scorer at 21.9 ppg (4th in the city), 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 Arcidiacon - rated by ESPN as the fourth-best PG 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 U. 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 - plus, perhaps most importantly, his relationship with Jerome Allen. The Watsons have known Allen since Maurice Jr. participated in Allen's "Hood Enriched" program as an 8-year-old. Maurice Sr. called Allen a "hometown hero" and Philadelphia "icon" and said that Allen has dreams of giving local inner-city kids opportunities to play for Penn. However, the process has been "frustrating" for Allen because Penn's academic standards are so high and city recruits therefore would have a hard time getting into the school.

"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. Watson said his son got a 1320 on the PSAT and Penn coaches told him he needed to raise his score by 100 points on the SAT to be in range (Note: I am fairly sure but not certain that this is a three-section score, including critical reading, math and writing).

As a player, Watson Jr. is an "explosive" point guard that can score in bunches - he posted a game high of 43 points this season - as well as distribute the ball. His father said Maurice is "naturally born with the gift of being a point guard" who "knows the game better than some coaches." Watson's play is the result of a decade of work with Philadelphia basketball greats, including Allen, Villanova coach Jay Wright, former Germantown Academy, Villanova and Toronto Raptors point guard Alvin Williams, former 76ers' greats Allen Iverson and World B. Free, 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 Constitution High commit Xavier Harris that dates back 8-9 years. 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.

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 grad Maureece Rice (2,681).