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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss Picks Up Michigan JUCO Forward
5/8/2007 | Men's Basketball
OXFORD, Miss. - Andy Kennedy continues to strengthen his Ole Miss basketball team in the late signing period, announcing the addition of JUCO forward Terrence Watson to a national letter of intent Tuesday.
A 6-foot-5, 220-pound native of Detroit, Watson earned All-America honors this season after leading Mott Community College (Flint, Mich.) to the NJCAA Division II National Championship. Watson was the Defensive Player of the Year in the conference and helped the Bears post a 60-9 over his two seasons at MCC.
"Terrence was coached by one of the most respected coaches in junior college basketball in Steve Schmidt and experienced a high level of success," said Kennedy. "He is a high-character kid, who has the physical and mental makeup to provide an immediate impact."
Watson filled the stat line for the Bears this year with averages of 12.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 3.4 blocks and 2.8 steals. He recorded eight double-doubles, including a 27-point, 12-rebound performance against Schoolcraft College.
Watson narrowly missed a triple-double against Alpena Community College with 19 points, 14 boards and eight assists, along with four steals.
"Terrence brings versatility to the forward slot," Kennedy said. "Defensively, he provides a true presence with his 7-foot-1 reach, and can guard any position on the floor."
Following a stellar prep career at Detroit's Murray-Wright High School, Watson averaged 11.0 points and 7.9 rebounds in his freshman season at Mott.
With Trevor Gaskins and Wesley Jones, Watson is the Rebels' third signee of the spring and is among seven newcomers that will be on the court for the Rebels in 2007-08. Zach Graham, Chris Warren and Kevin Cantinol inked in the fall, while University of Florida transfer David Huertas transferred to Ole Miss last July.
This group joins a Rebel squad that is coming off its best season since 2001, having notched a 21-13 record, an SEC Western Division championship and a postseason return. In his first year at the Ole Miss helm, Kennedy was honored as SEC Coach of the Year and posted the most wins ever by a Rebel mentor in his debut season.