Paul Watson begins professional career in NBA Summer League

LAS VEGAS --- After four special years at Fresno State, Paul Watson began his professional basketball career as a member of the Toronto Raptors' MGM Resorts International NBA Summer League Team from July 7-17 in Las Vegas.

Watson, who helped lead the Bulldogs to three postseason appearances in his four seasons at Fresno State, played in all five of the Raptor's Summer League games this July.

For the summer, Watson recorded 20 points on 7-for-21 shooting from the field, with two 3-pointers and four free throws. He also collected 10 rebounds and dished out four assists over the course of 69 minutes off the bench.

Watson, the 2013-14 Mountain West Freshman of the Year and a 2013-14 Freshman All-American, has his sights set on becoming the 31st Bulldog to make a NBA roster, and he feels his athleticism, offensive explosiveness and defensive tenacity can be a huge asset at the next level.

"I take pride in my defense," Watson said. "One of the first things Coach Terry emphasized was the importance of defense. I'm definitely a defensive guy, who can show athleticism and make plays not only for myself, but others. I'm a longer wing who can guard multiple positions on and off the ball, but I can also shoot the ball, put it on the floor and finish around the basket."

This spring, Watson represented Fresno State as one of eight of college basketball's best senior dunkers in the 2017 College Basketball Slam Dunk contest, which was broadcast live on ESPN on March 30 at the Final Four in his hometown of Phoenix on the campus of Grand Canyon University.

Watson finished his collegiate career ranked ninth in program history in blocked shots (92), 3-point goals made (181) and attempts (500). He also finished his career as the No. 16 scorer in program history (1,361 career points) and one of 32 Bulldogs in program history to score at least 1,000 points.

Paul George (2008-10) and Tyler Johnson (2010-14) are two of the 30 former Bulldogs have played in the NBA. George just finished his seventh NBA season with the Indiana Pacers after being drafted 10th overall in 2010 and has joined the Oklahoma City Thunder for the final year of his five-year, $90 million extension. Johnson just finished his second full NBA season and when the 2017-18 starts, Johnson will be playing in the second season of a four-year, $50 million contract extension with the Miami Heat, who signed the hard-working guard as an undrafted free agent in 2014 after he shined for Miami's Summer League team.

Stay tuned to www.GoBulldogs.com for Fresno State Men's Basketball summer updates as the Bulldogs' 2017-18 roster and schedule is finalized in the near future, as well as other program news.

"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160.

Fresno State Athletics

Paul Watson begins professional career in NBA Summer League

Related News

Players Mentioned

Paul Watson

Related Videos