Rocket Watts
{{short description|American basketball player}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Rocket Watts
| image = Rocket Watts.jpg
| caption = Watts in January 2020
| number =
| position = Point guard / shooting guard
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 2
| weight_lbs = 185
| team = Free agent
| league =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|6|1}}
| birth_place = Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
| high_school =
- Allen Academy (Detroit, Michigan)
- Old Redford Academy
(Detroit, Michigan) - SPIRE Academy (Geneva, Ohio)
| college =
- Michigan State (2019–2021)
- Mississippi State (2021–2022)
- Oakland (2022–2024)
| draft_year = 2024
| draft_round =
| draft_pick =
| career_start = 2024
| career_end =
| team1 =
| years1 =
| highlights =
- Big Ten All-Freshman Team (2020)
- Jordan Brand Classic (2019)
| medal_templates =
{{MedalSport|Men's basketball}}
{{MedalCountry|{{bk|United States}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|FIBA Americas U18 Championship}}
{{MedalGold| 2018 Canada|Team}}
}}
Mark A. "Rocket" Watts Jr. (born June 1, 2000) is an American professional basketball player who is currently a free agent. He played college basketball for the Oakland Golden Grizzlies, the Michigan State Spartans and the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
Early life
Watts spent his first year of high school with Allen Academy in Detroit, Michigan. As a freshman, he averaged 14.1 points and led his team to a 19–3 record.{{cite web |title=Mark Watts Jr. |url=https://www.usab.com/basketball/players/mens/w/watts-jr-mark.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107104129/https://www.usab.com/basketball/players/mens/w/watts-jr-mark.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 7, 2018 |publisher=USA Basketball |access-date=November 6, 2018}} After Allen Academy closed,{{cite web |last=Force |first=Andrew |title=Rocket Watts: The Takeoff |url=https://www.prephoops.com/2017/04/rocket-watts-recruitment/ |publisher=PrepHoops |access-date=November 6, 2018 |date=April 30, 2017}} Watts transferred to Old Redford Academy in Detroit for his next two years. While at the school, he also played with The Family Detroit on the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) circuit.{{cite web |last=Goricki |first=David |title='Rocket' Watts, Beverly to take time in recruiting process |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/high-school/2018/06/25/rocket-watts-harlond-beverly-take-time-basketball-recruiting-process/732241002/ |website=The Detroit News |access-date=November 6, 2018 |date=June 25, 2018}} In his sophomore season, Watts averaged 25.6 points, 6.2 assists, and 2.8 steals per game and earned Detroit News second-team All-Area honors.{{cite web |last=Goricki |first=David |title=Detroit News All-Area boys basketball teams |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/high-school/2017/04/07/detroit-news-area-boys-basketball-teams/100183628/ |website=The Detroit News |access-date=November 6, 2018 |date=April 7, 2017}}
As a junior, Watts averaged 26.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 3.1 steals per game, helping Old Redford Academy to a 19–6 record. He was a Detroit News first-team All-Area pick.{{cite web |last=Goricki |first=David |title=Detroit News All-Area boys basketball teams |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/high-school/2018/04/03/detroit-news-all-area-boys-basketball-teams/33514447/ |website=The Detroit News |access-date=November 6, 2018 |date=April 3, 2018}} Watts was named first-team All-State in each of his first three seasons. For his senior season, Watts transferred with LaMelo Ball to SPIRE Institute and Academy, a boarding prep school in Geneva, Ohio.{{cite web |last=Farrell |first=Perry A. |title=Michigan top recruit Rocket Watts leaving Detroit for Ohio prep school |url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/high-school/2018/09/11/mark-rocket-watts-spire-academy-old-redford-academy/1263858002/ |website=Detroit Free Press |access-date=November 6, 2018 |date=September 11, 2018}} On January 26, 2019, he scored a career-high 64 points, with 15 three-pointers, in a win over St. Edward High School.{{cite web |last=Goul |first=Matt |title=McDonald's All-American snub fuels Rocket Watts to career-high 64 points at St. Edward |url=http://highschoolsports.cleveland.com/news/article/-5931547305105258294/mcdonalds-all-american-snub-fuels-rocket-watts-to-career-high-64-points-at-st-edward/ |website=The Plain Dealer |access-date=July 22, 2019 |date=January 26, 2019}} Watts, on April 29, played in the Jordan Brand Classic all-star game.{{cite web |last=Purcell |first=Jared |title=Rocket Watts, Romeo Weems, Rickea Jackson leave Michigan mark in Jordan Brand Classic |url=https://www.mlive.com/highschoolsports/2019/04/rocket-watts-romeo-weems-rickea-jackson-leave-michigan-mark-in-jordan-brand-classic.html |publisher=MLive |access-date=July 22, 2019 |date=April 21, 2019}}
By the end of his high school career, Watts was a consensus four-star recruit and top-40 player in the 2019 class.{{cite web |title=Rocket Watts, SPIRE Academy, Combo Guard |url=https://247sports.com/Player/Rocket-Watts-94190/high-school-224993/ |publisher=247Sports.com |access-date=July 22, 2019}}{{cite web |title=Rocket Watts Jr. |url=https://www.espn.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/224314 |access-date=March 29, 2024 |publisher=ESPN}}{{cite web |title=Mark "Rocket" Watts, 2019 Shooting guard |url=https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2019/mark-rocket-watts-182343 |publisher=Rivals.com |access-date=July 22, 2019}} On September 22, 2018, he verbally committed to play college basketball for Michigan State.{{cite web |last=Borzello |first=Jeff |date=September 22, 2018 |title=Rocket Watts, No. 6 PG recruit in 2019, commits to Michigan State |url=https://www.espn.com/college-sports/recruiting/basketball/mens/story/_/id/24765298 |access-date=March 29, 2024 |publisher=ESPN}}{{cite news|last=Austin|first=Kyle|title=Malik Hall signs with Michigan State, no word from Rocket Watts|date=November 23, 2018|website=MLive.com|publisher=Advance Local Media|url=https://www.mlive.com/spartans/index.ssf/2018/11/malik_hall_signs_with_michigan.html|access-date=January 7, 2019}} Watts had been recruited by Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo since eighth grade.{{cite web |last=Solari |first=Chris |title=Rocket Watts: Monday will be 'a great day' as Michigan State basketball freshman arrives |url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/michigan-state/spartans/2019/06/28/michigan-state-basketball-rocket-watts-enrollment/1592722001/ |website=Detroit Free Press |access-date=July 22, 2019 |date=June 28, 2019}}
{{College Athlete Recruit Start|40=no|collapse=no|year=2019}}
{{College Athlete Recruit Entry
| recruit = Rocket Watts
| hometown = Detroit, MI
| highschool = SPIRE Academy (OH)
| feet = 6
| inches = 2
| weight = 175
| 40 =
| commitdate = September 22, 2018
| rivals stars = 4
| 247 stars = 4
| espn stars = 4
| espn grade = 89
}}
{{College Athlete Recruit End
| 40 =
| year = 2019
| rivals ref title = Michigan State 2019 Basketball Commitments
| scout ref title =
| espn ref title = 2019 Michigan State Spartans Recruiting Class
| rivals school = michiganstate
| scout s =
| espn schoolid = 127
| 247 overall = 39
| rivals overall = 38
| espn overall = 33
| access-date = October 31, 2020
| bball = yes
}}
College career
=2019–20 season=
Watts started his first career game on November 5, 2019, in place of the injured Joshua Langford against Kentucky. He was held scoreless, going 0-of-4 from the field while picking up 2 assists in 22 minutes played in the 62–69 loss. Five days later, Watts collected his first career points, finishing with 5 in 23 minutes as the Spartans defeated Binghamton 100–46. On November 18, 2019, Watts recorded a then-career-high 11 points to go with another career-high 7 total rebounds as the Spartans routed Charleston Southern 94–46. Watts suffered a leg injury in December 2019 and was forced to miss some time. At the time, he was averaging 6.5 points per game.{{cite news |title=Michigan State's Rocket Watts (stress reaction) to miss Sunday's game |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/28241274/michigan-state-rocket-watts-stress-reaction-miss-sunday-game |access-date=December 8, 2019 |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |date=December 7, 2019}} On February 11, 2020, Watts scored a season-high 21 points in a 70–69 win against Illinois.{{cite news |title=Dosunmu injured on Spartans' buzzer dunk; No. 22 Illini fall |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=401166218 |access-date=February 12, 2020 |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |date=February 11, 2020}} He tied that mark of 21 points the next game, leading the team in scoring on February 25, 2020 as the Spartans won against (then) higher-ranked Iowa, 78–70.{{cite news |title=Winston-led, No. 24 Michigan State beats No. 18 Iowa 78-70 |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=401166244 |access-date=March 8, 2020 |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |date=February 25, 2020}} Watts played a crucial role in the Spartans' game against Penn State on March 3, as they came back from a 15-point deficit at half to win by 8. He put up 18 points, second on the team that night.{{cite news |title=Tillman leads No. 16 Spartans to comeback win |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=401166258 |access-date=March 8, 2020 |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |date=March 3, 2020}} On March 8, Watts finished second on the team with 19 points in an 80–69 win over Ohio State.{{cite news |title=No. 16 Mich St tops No. 19 Ohio St 80-69, shares B10 title |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=401166269 |access-date=March 9, 2020 |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |date=March 8, 2020}} At the close of the regular season, Watts was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team.{{cite press release|url=https://bigten.org/news/2020/3/9/big-ten-unveils-mens-basketball-postseason-honors-on-btn.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200309231733/https://bigten.org/news/2020/3/9/big-ten-unveils-mens-basketball-postseason-honors-on-btn.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 9, 2020|title=Big Ten Unveils Men's Basketball Postseason Honors on BTN|publisher=Big Ten Conference |date=March 9, 2020 |access-date=March 9, 2020}}
=2020–21 season=
Watts tipped off his sophomore campaign by coming off the bench for 23 minutes, recording two points and three assists for Michigan State in a 83–67 win against Eastern Michigan. In his next game, an 80–70 win against Notre Dame, Watts scored 13 points in his 20 minutes off the bench, good enough for second on the team that night. In addition, he tied his career high of 6 assists. In the Spartans 75–69 upset of Duke, Watts received his first start of the season. He responded by leading the team in scoring with 20 points, including three crucial, late free throws to help stave off a Blue Devils comeback. The next game, a 83–76 Spartan victory over Detroit Mercy, Watts once again received the start and led the team with a career-high 23 points. He followed that up with 10 points and 6 assists in his third start on the season, a 79–61 win over Western Michigan. In the next game against Oakland, Watts ran into foul trouble early and wound up with 9 points in 22 minutes as the Spartans won 109–91 to improve to 6–0 on the season. In the Spartans first loss of the year, a 79–65 loss to Northwestern, Watts was ice cold, only scoring 5 points, all of which were in the final 4 minutes. Watts continued to struggle against Wisconsin, only scoring 5 points in 26 minutes as the Spartans dropped to 0–2 in conference, losing 85–76. He did set a new career high with 7 assists, however. In the next game, an 81–56 loss against Minnesota, Watts only scored 2 points.
On December 31, 2020, Spartans coach Tom Izzo stated that Watts would be moving back to his 'natural' position at shooting guard instead of point guard.
In MSU's first conference win of the year, an 84–77 triumph over Nebraska, Watts scored 9 points coming off the bench, with two late free throws helping finish off the Cornhuskers.
On March 29, 2021, Watts entered the NCAA transfer portal thereby ending his career with the Spartans, ultimately transferring to Mississippi State.{{cite news |last=Solari |first=Chris |title=Rocket Watts transfers from Michigan State basketball to Mississippi State |url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/michigan-state/spartans/2021/05/22/michigan-state-basketball-rocket-watts-transfer-mississippi-state/5223784001/ |access-date=November 15, 2022 |work=Detroit Free Press |date=May 22, 2021}}
=2021–22 season=
Watts was limited to 19 games as a junior due to injuries to his hip and elbow. He averaged 4.4 points per game while shooting 40.2 percent from the floor and 26.7 percent from beyond the arc. After the season, coach Ben Howland was fired and Watts opted to transfer to Oakland for his senior season.{{cite news |last=Austin |first=Kyle |title=Former Michigan State guard Rocket Watts transferring to Oakland |url=https://www.mlive.com/spartans/2022/05/former-michigan-state-guard-rocket-watts-transferring-to-oakland.html |access-date=November 15, 2022 |work=MLive |date=May 28, 2022}}
Professional career
Watts went undrafted in the 2024 NBA draft.
National team career
Watts played for the United States under-18 basketball team at the 2018 FIBA Under-18 Americas Championship. He helped his team win the gold medal, averaging 6.8 points and 2.5 assists per game.{{cite web |title=Mark Watts (USA)'s profile |url=http://www.fiba.basketball/americas/u18/2018/player/Mark-Watts |publisher=FIBA |access-date=November 6, 2018}}{{cite news|last=Greer|first=Jeff|title=Louisville basketball makes top eight for 2019 recruit Rocket Watts|date=July 15, 2018|newspaper=Louisville Courier Journal|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/louisville/2018/07/15/louisville-basketball-2019-guard-rocket-mark-watts/785579002/|access-date=January 7, 2019}}
Career statistics
{{NBA player statistics legend}}
=College=
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2019–20
| style="text-align:left;"| Michigan State
| 27 || 16 || 22.3 || .389 || .281 || .800 || 2.3 || 1.7 || .5 || .0 || 9.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2020–21
| style="text-align:left;"| Michigan State
| 28 || 15 || 22.6 || .336 || .253 || .780 || 1.7 || 2.7 || .1 || .0 || 7.7
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career
| 55 || 31 || 22.5 || .363 || .269 || .789 || 2.0 || 2.2 || .3 || .0 || 8.4
{{S-end}}
Personal life
Watts was given the nickname "Rocket" while playing football at age five. His father Mark Sr. originally owned the nickname for the speed he displayed while playing high school football.{{cite web |last=Jordan |first=Jason |title=Rocket Watts says don't box him in to one label |url=https://usatodayhss.com/2018/nike-eybl-rocket-watts-says-dont-box-him-in-to-one-label |publisher=USA Today High School Sports |access-date=November 6, 2018 |date=May 27, 2018}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons}}
- [https://hailstate.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/rocket-watts/7034 Mississippi State Bulldogs bio]
- [https://msuspartans.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/rocket-watts/10825 Michigan State Spartans bio]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20181107104129/https://www.usab.com/basketball/players/mens/w/watts-jr-mark.aspx USA Basketball bio]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Watts, Rocket}}
Category:American men's basketball players
Category:Basketball players from Detroit
Category:Michigan State Spartans men's basketball players
Category:Mississippi State Bulldogs men's basketball players