ThomasCostello
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Ohio State women’s basketball freshman Ava Watson’s ability to make early impact
ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Ohio State women’s basketball on Twitter | @OhioStateWBB
With the mass exodus of upperclassmen guards, Watson has all the characteristics of an impact player in the McGuff offense.
College basketball season is fast approaching and Land-Grant Holy Land is getting you ready with a series of player previews. Before the season starts this fall, check back regularly for more player previews, schedule news, features, and more heading into the 2024-25 Ohio State women’s basketball season.
Over the past few seasons, Ohio State women’s basketball hasn’t had to rely much on freshmen. Outside of Cotie McMahon, who’s started every game since joining as a freshman two seasons ago, it’s taken time for young players to break into the lineup and earn — and retain — meaningful minutes.
There’s a freshman in the 2024 Buckeyes recruiting class who could do just that, and their name isn’t Jaloni Cambridge. It’s Ava Watson, who could be an answer to Ohio State's depth at shooting guard.
Name: Ava Watson
Position: Guard
Class: Freshman
High School: Buford High School (Buford, Georgia)
2023-24 Stats: 24 ppg, 6 rpg, 5.2 apg, 4.3 spg
Watson enters Ohio State as the No. 52 recruit in the nation, according to ESPN’s HoopGurlz. In three seasons starting for Buford, Watson amassed over 2,000 points and received all the accolades you’d expect from a top-100 recruit.
The 5-foot-8 guard committed to the Buckeyes in January of 2023. After picking Ohio State, Watson went on to earn an honorable mention on the MaxPreps All-American team for the 23-24 season, leading Buford to a regional championship and a trip to the Georgia Elite Eight.
In the Elite Eight, Buford trailed for most of the game, but Watson’s play put the Wolves back into it. Watson scored 10 of her game-high 36 points in the fourth quarter, which tied the game. Buford lost in overtime 74-69.
What fits in coach Kevin McGuff’s game plan is somebody who can run, play defense and shoot the ball from deep. Expect all of that from Watson.
In high school, Watson led a full-court defense with Buford and averaged 4.2 steals per game. When it comes to conditioning, Watson doesn’t seem to get tired and can run up and down the court with ease. A lot of characteristics are shared with former Ohio State guard Jacy Sheldon.
With that kind of work rate, it’s no surprise that Watson also excels on the boards. As a shooting guard, Watson averaged six rebounds per game for the Wolves, because she gets into good positions and can outpace opponents to the ball.
Offensively, Watson is a three-level scorer. She has a quick, compact, release from beyond the arc and can turn on another level to go to the basket.
Coach McGuff thinks highly of the freshman. Monday, McGuff talked about the new Buckeye highly, praising her shooting ability and a “high basketball IQ.” In other words, Watson knows what’s going on in the game and has the ability to pick up the offense quickly.
During practice, Watson paired up with the second grouping of Buckeyes. That means Watson could be one of the first guards off the bench behind expected starting shooting guard Chance Gray. Ohio State only has two traditional upperclassmen guards who will receive substantial minutes in McGuff’s rotation, so Watson will be needed.
Looking at Ohio State’s non-conference schedule, the opponents early in the season are all mid-major sides. That will give Watson the chance to earn early minutes. Should the guard gel into the system and show it on the court, that could bode well for the McGuff rotation once Big Ten basketball begins.
Watch an extended interview with the new guard, part of the Jr. NBA program.
Miss a player preview? Click the links below to learn more about the 24-25 Buckeyes roster:
Madison Greene
Eboni Walker
Continue reading...
ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Ohio State women’s basketball on Twitter | @OhioStateWBB
With the mass exodus of upperclassmen guards, Watson has all the characteristics of an impact player in the McGuff offense.
College basketball season is fast approaching and Land-Grant Holy Land is getting you ready with a series of player previews. Before the season starts this fall, check back regularly for more player previews, schedule news, features, and more heading into the 2024-25 Ohio State women’s basketball season.
Over the past few seasons, Ohio State women’s basketball hasn’t had to rely much on freshmen. Outside of Cotie McMahon, who’s started every game since joining as a freshman two seasons ago, it’s taken time for young players to break into the lineup and earn — and retain — meaningful minutes.
There’s a freshman in the 2024 Buckeyes recruiting class who could do just that, and their name isn’t Jaloni Cambridge. It’s Ava Watson, who could be an answer to Ohio State's depth at shooting guard.
Name: Ava Watson
Position: Guard
Class: Freshman
High School: Buford High School (Buford, Georgia)
2023-24 Stats: 24 ppg, 6 rpg, 5.2 apg, 4.3 spg
Last Season
Watson enters Ohio State as the No. 52 recruit in the nation, according to ESPN’s HoopGurlz. In three seasons starting for Buford, Watson amassed over 2,000 points and received all the accolades you’d expect from a top-100 recruit.
The 5-foot-8 guard committed to the Buckeyes in January of 2023. After picking Ohio State, Watson went on to earn an honorable mention on the MaxPreps All-American team for the 23-24 season, leading Buford to a regional championship and a trip to the Georgia Elite Eight.
In the Elite Eight, Buford trailed for most of the game, but Watson’s play put the Wolves back into it. Watson scored 10 of her game-high 36 points in the fourth quarter, which tied the game. Buford lost in overtime 74-69.
What to Expect
What fits in coach Kevin McGuff’s game plan is somebody who can run, play defense and shoot the ball from deep. Expect all of that from Watson.
In high school, Watson led a full-court defense with Buford and averaged 4.2 steals per game. When it comes to conditioning, Watson doesn’t seem to get tired and can run up and down the court with ease. A lot of characteristics are shared with former Ohio State guard Jacy Sheldon.
With that kind of work rate, it’s no surprise that Watson also excels on the boards. As a shooting guard, Watson averaged six rebounds per game for the Wolves, because she gets into good positions and can outpace opponents to the ball.
Offensively, Watson is a three-level scorer. She has a quick, compact, release from beyond the arc and can turn on another level to go to the basket.
Prediction
Coach McGuff thinks highly of the freshman. Monday, McGuff talked about the new Buckeye highly, praising her shooting ability and a “high basketball IQ.” In other words, Watson knows what’s going on in the game and has the ability to pick up the offense quickly.
During practice, Watson paired up with the second grouping of Buckeyes. That means Watson could be one of the first guards off the bench behind expected starting shooting guard Chance Gray. Ohio State only has two traditional upperclassmen guards who will receive substantial minutes in McGuff’s rotation, so Watson will be needed.
Looking at Ohio State’s non-conference schedule, the opponents early in the season are all mid-major sides. That will give Watson the chance to earn early minutes. Should the guard gel into the system and show it on the court, that could bode well for the McGuff rotation once Big Ten basketball begins.
Highlights
Watch an extended interview with the new guard, part of the Jr. NBA program.
Other Player Previews
Miss a player preview? Click the links below to learn more about the 24-25 Buckeyes roster:
Madison Greene
Eboni Walker
Continue reading...