Listed weight 175 lb (79 kg) Salary 4.8 million USD (2015) Listed height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) Height 1.88 m | Nationality American Role Basketball player League NBA Name C. Watson Children Ayanna Watson | |
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Parents Charles Watson, Cathy Watson Similar People Frank Vogel, Evan Fournier, Elfrid Payton, Shabazz Napier, C J Miles Profiles | ||
C. J. Watson '08-'09 Highlight Reel
Charles "C. J." Akeem Watson Jr. (born April 17, 1984) is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the University of Tennessee.
Contents
- C J Watson 08 09 Highlight Reel
- Nate Robinson Fights CJ Watson Playoffs 2013 Bulls vs Nets
- College career
- European career 20062007
- D League career 20072008
- Golden State Warriors 20082010
- Chicago Bulls 20102012
- Brooklyn Nets 20122013
- Indiana Pacers 20132015
- Orlando Magic 20152017
- Personal life
- References
Nate Robinson Fights C.J Watson Playoffs 2013 Bulls vs Nets
College career
Watson played college basketball for the Tennessee Volunteers for four seasons. During his freshman season, he earned SEC All-Freshman Team honors. His best season came during his senior year in 2005–06, where he and fellow All-American Chris Lofton led the Volunteers to a 22–8 record and a 12–4 record in SEC play. He averaged 15.3 points, 3.9 assists and 3.1 rebounds, and earned second-team All-SEC honors from the Associated Press and the league coaches. He finished his collegiate career as Tennessee's second all-time leader in assists (577), second in steals (198), sixth in three-point field goal percentage (.396), tied for eighth in three-point field goals (401), and 15th in scoring (1,424 points).
European career (2006–2007)
Despite an excellent college career, Watson went undrafted in 2006 NBA Draft. He then played briefly with San Antonio Spurs in 2006 NBA summer league before joining Italian Serie A team Bipop Carire Reggio Emilia. He averaged 8.5 points and 2.3 rebounds in 17 games. He then moved on to join Greek A1 Ethniki team PAOK B.C. where he averaged 7.4 points and 2.2 assists in five games.
D-League career (2007–2008)
Watson returned to the states to revive his NBA career, participated in 2007 NBA summer league with the Spurs and later joined Charlotte Bobcats training camp. However, he once again failed to make the roster for the season. On November 1, 2007, he joined NBA D-League and was drafted 5th overall by the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. He averaged 26.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.38 steals in 38.1 minutes per game for the Vipers before signed by Golden State Warriors on January 8, 2008. At the time of the call up, Watson was the third leading scorer in the D-League. He also became the 100th player to be called up by a NBA team in D-League history.
Golden State Warriors (2008–2010)
On January 8, 2008, Golden State Warriors signed Watson to a 10-day contract to be a backup point guard to All-Star Baron Davis. He impressed Warriors coach Don Nelson and subsequently earned a second 10-day contract. After two 10-day contracts, where he appeared in 8 games, averaging 5.4 points and 1.8 assists in 16.6 minutes, Watson was signed for the remainder of the season. On February 17, 2010, Watson scored a career-high 40 points against the Sacramento Kings with 16-of-23 shooting.
Chicago Bulls (2010–2012)
On July 21, 2010, Watson was acquired in a sign and trade deal by the Chicago Bulls. On November 26, 2010, the Bulls' starting point guard Derrick Rose was out with a stiff neck. Watson started against the Nuggets and scored a season high in a loss, with 33 points while also shooting 50% from the field. On December 14, 2011, Watson changed his number from 32 to 7 because of Richard "Rip" Hamilton signing with the Bulls. On April 28, 2012, in the Bulls' first game of that year's playoffs, guard Derrick Rose suffered a torn ACL in his left knee. In his absence, Watson started the rest of the Bulls' playoff games. The Bulls lost in the first round to the Philadelphia 76ers. Watson averaged 7.3 points on 24% shooting in the series.
Brooklyn Nets (2012–2013)
On July 23, 2012, Watson signed with the Brooklyn Nets. On February 13, 2013, he scored a season-high 25 points in the 119-108 win over the Denver Nuggets. His 25 points were the most he'd scored since November 2010, and his five three-pointers also set a career-high. Watson averaged 6.8 points in 80 regular season games for the Nets as a backup point guard to Deron Williams. In the Nets' seven playoff games, he averaged 8.6 points per game.
Indiana Pacers (2013–2015)
On July 10, 2013, Watson signed with the Indiana Pacers. On April 13, 2014, he scored a season-high 20 points in the 102-97 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. In his first season with Indiana, Watson averaged 6.6 points in 63 regular season games as a backup point guard to George Hill. In 18 playoff games, Watson averaged 5.8 points per game.
Orlando Magic (2015–2017)
On July 9, 2015, Watson signed with the Orlando Magic. On February 19, 2016, he played in his first game for the Magic since November 9, 2015 due to a left calf injury.
On July 10, 2017, Watson was waived by the Magic.
Personal life
Watson majored in psychology at Tennessee and continued working toward his degree every summer after starting his professional basketball career. He completed his coursework in 2012. He has one brother, Kashif, who played college basketball for the University of Idaho, and one sister, Vonyetta.