Adding local short description: "American basketball coach (born 1979)", overriding Wikidata description "American basketball player (born 1979)"
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m WP:INFONAT cleanup - omit nationality/citizenship if same as birth country (via WP:JWB)
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{{Short description|American basketball coach (born 1979)}} |
{{Short description|American basketball coach (born 1979)}} |
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{{about|the basketball coach and former player|the active basketball player|Earl Watson (basketball, born 1990)}} |
{{about|the basketball coach and former player|the active basketball player|Earl Watson (basketball, born 1990)}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date= |
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}} |
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{{Infobox basketball biography |
{{Infobox basketball biography |
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| name = Earl Watson |
| name = Earl Watson |
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| weight_lb = 199 |
| weight_lb = 199 |
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| league = [[NBA]] |
| league = [[NBA]] |
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| team = |
| team = |
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| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1979|6|12}} |
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1979|6|12}} |
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| birth_place = [[Kansas City, Kansas]] |
| birth_place = [[Kansas City, Kansas]], U.S. |
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| nationality = American |
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| high_school = [[Washington High School (Kansas)|Washington]] (Kansas City, Kansas) |
| high_school = [[Washington High School (Kansas)|Washington]] (Kansas City, Kansas) |
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| college = [[UCLA Bruins men's basketball|UCLA]] (1997–2001) |
| college = [[UCLA Bruins men's basketball|UCLA]] (1997–2001) |
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| cyears3 = {{nbay|2015|end}}–{{nbay|2017|start}} |
| cyears3 = {{nbay|2015|end}}–{{nbay|2017|start}} |
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| cteam3 = [[Phoenix Suns]] |
| cteam3 = [[Phoenix Suns]] |
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| cyears4 = {{nbay|2021|start}} |
| cyears4 = {{nbay|2021|start}}–{{nbay|2022|end}} |
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| cteam4 = [[Toronto Raptors]] (assistant) |
| cteam4 = [[Toronto Raptors]] (assistant) |
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| highlights = |
| highlights = |
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}} |
}} |
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'''Earl Joseph Watson Jr.''' (born June 12, 1979)<ref name=NBA>{{cite web | url=http://www.nba.com/playerfile/earl_watson/ | title=Earl Watson Stats, Video, Bio, Profile | work=NBA.com | access-date=September 20, 2013}}</ref> is an American professional [[basketball]] coach and former player who |
'''Earl Joseph Watson Jr.''' (born June 12, 1979)<ref name=NBA>{{cite web | url=http://www.nba.com/playerfile/earl_watson/ | title=Earl Watson Stats, Video, Bio, Profile | work=NBA.com | access-date=September 20, 2013}}</ref> is an American professional [[basketball]] coach and former player who most recently served as an assistant coach for the [[Toronto Raptors]] of the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA). He played [[college basketball]] for the [[UCLA Bruins men's basketball|UCLA Bruins]], where he was a four-year starter and named [[List of All-Pac-12 Conference men's basketball teams|all-conference]] as a senior in the Pac-10 (now known as the [[Pac-12 Conference men's basketball|Pac-12]]). Watson was drafted by the [[Seattle SuperSonics]] in the second round of the [[2001 NBA draft]] with the 39th overall selection. He played 13 seasons in the NBA with seven teams before becoming a coach in 2014. He was the head coach of the [[Phoenix Suns]] from 2016 to 2017. |
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==High school and college career== |
==High school and college career== |
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==Professional career== |
==Professional career== |
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Watson was selected in the second round (39th overall) by the SuperSonics in the [[2001 NBA draft]]. In the [[2007–08 NBA season]], Watson averaged 10.7 points and 6.8 assists with the Sonics. On February 6, 2008, Watson recorded his first-ever [[triple-double]] in a game against the [[Sacramento Kings]]. Watson logged 23 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in 32 minutes.<ref name="triple-double">{{ |
Watson was selected in the second round (39th overall) by the SuperSonics in the [[2001 NBA draft]]. In the [[2007–08 NBA season]], Watson averaged 10.7 points and 6.8 assists with the Sonics. On February 6, 2008, Watson recorded his first-ever [[triple-double]] in a game against the [[Sacramento Kings]]. Watson logged 23 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in 32 minutes.<ref name="triple-double">{{Cite web |date=February 6, 2008 |title=Watson gets first career triple-double to help Sonics finish off Kings |url=http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=280206023 |access-date=September 20, 2013 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> It was Seattle's first triple-double since [[Ray Allen]] registered one on January 28, 2004, against the [[Los Angeles Lakers]].<ref name="triple-double" /> |
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On July 17, 2009, Watson was waived by the Thunder.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=4589 | title=Oklahoma City Thunder waive Earl Watson | work=InsideHoops.com | date=July 17, 2009 | access-date=September 20, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922084356/http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=4589 | archive-date=September 22, 2013 | url-status=dead }}</ref> He signed a one-year deal with the Indiana Pacers on July 28, 2009.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=4636 | title=Indiana Pacers sign Earl Watson | work=InsideHoops.com | date=July 28, 2009 | access-date=September 20, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921180221/http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=4636 | archive-date=September 21, 2013 | url-status=dead }}</ref> |
On July 17, 2009, Watson was waived by the Thunder.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=4589 | title=Oklahoma City Thunder waive Earl Watson | work=InsideHoops.com | date=July 17, 2009 | access-date=September 20, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922084356/http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=4589 | archive-date=September 22, 2013 | url-status=dead }}</ref> He signed a one-year deal with the Indiana Pacers on July 28, 2009.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=4636 | title=Indiana Pacers sign Earl Watson | work=InsideHoops.com | date=July 28, 2009 | access-date=September 20, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921180221/http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=4636 | archive-date=September 21, 2013 | url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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On July 10, 2013, he signed with the [[Portland Trail Blazers]].<ref>[http://www.iamatrailblazersfan.com/PressReleaseDisplay/tabid/297/ItemID/3868/Default.aspx TRAIL BLAZERS SIGN EARL WATSON] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130718102712/http://www.iamatrailblazersfan.com/PressReleaseDisplay/tabid/297/ItemID/3868/Default.aspx |date=July 18, 2013 }}</ref> |
On July 10, 2013, he signed with the [[Portland Trail Blazers]].<ref>[http://www.iamatrailblazersfan.com/PressReleaseDisplay/tabid/297/ItemID/3868/Default.aspx TRAIL BLAZERS SIGN EARL WATSON] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130718102712/http://www.iamatrailblazersfan.com/PressReleaseDisplay/tabid/297/ItemID/3868/Default.aspx |date=July 18, 2013 }}</ref> |
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Watson's final NBA game was played in Game 4 of the 2014 Western Conference Semi-Finals between the Trailblazers and the San Antonio Spurs on May 12, 2014. In his final game, Watson only played for a minute and half and recorded no stats. The TrailBlazers won the game 103 |
Watson's final NBA game was played in Game 4 of the 2014 Western Conference Semi-Finals between the Trailblazers and the San Antonio Spurs on May 12, 2014. In his final game, Watson only played for a minute and half and recorded no stats. The TrailBlazers won the game 103 – 92 but this would be their only victory of the series, as they would go on to lose the series in 5 games to San Antonio. Watson retired as a player on October 2, 2014. |
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== NBA career statistics == |
== NBA career statistics == |
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==Coaching career== |
==Coaching career== |
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On October 2, 2014, Watson was hired as an assistant coach by the [[Austin Spurs]] of the [[NBA D-League]], effectively ending his 13-year playing career.<ref>{{cite news |title=Austin Toros Announce Coaching Staff Additions |date=October 2, 2014 |work=NBA.com |url=http://www.nba.com/spurs/news/141002_austin_toros_announce_coaching_staff_additions |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141005210953/http://www.nba.com/spurs/news/141002_austin_toros_announce_coaching_staff_additions |archive-date=October 5, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> He joined the [[Phoenix Suns]] as their new assistant coach on July 30, 2015.<ref>{{cite news|title=Suns Announce Basketball Operations Staff Changes|date=July 30, 2015|work=NBA.com|url=http://www.nba.com/suns/press-release/suns-announce-basketball-operations-staff-changes}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Coro|first=Paul|title=Suns make coaching staff changes, drop Kenny Gattison|date=May 29, 2015|work=azcentral.com|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2015/05/29/phoenix-suns-coaching-staff-jeff-hornacek-kenny-gattison/28170329/}}</ref> However, after a poor start to the 2015–16 season, the Suns fired coach [[Jeff Hornacek]] and replaced him with Watson as the interim head coach for the rest of the season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/suns/suns-name-earl-watson-interim-head-coach|title=Suns Name Earl Watson Interim Head Coach|work=NBA.com|date=February 1, 2016|access-date=February 1, 2016}}</ref> While Watson would make his coaching debut on February 2, 2016 at home against the [[Toronto Raptors]], it wouldn't be until February 27, almost a month later, where he'd record his first win with the Suns at home against the [[Memphis Grizzlies]], a team he had previously played under. He would then get his first two-game winning streak on the road as a coach with victories on March 4 against the [[Orlando Magic]] and March 6 against the Grizzlies, respectively. After starting out the season with only one victory in ten games for February, he'd end the season with an 8–15 record the rest of the way, including ending the season with a 3–1 stint. |
On October 2, 2014, Watson was hired as an assistant coach by the [[Austin Spurs]] of the [[NBA D-League]], effectively ending his 13-year playing career.<ref>{{cite news |title=Austin Toros Announce Coaching Staff Additions |date=October 2, 2014 |work=NBA.com |url=http://www.nba.com/spurs/news/141002_austin_toros_announce_coaching_staff_additions |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141005210953/http://www.nba.com/spurs/news/141002_austin_toros_announce_coaching_staff_additions |archive-date=October 5, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> He joined the [[Phoenix Suns]] as their new assistant coach on July 30, 2015.<ref>{{cite news|title=Suns Announce Basketball Operations Staff Changes|date=July 30, 2015|work=NBA.com|url=http://www.nba.com/suns/press-release/suns-announce-basketball-operations-staff-changes}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Coro|first=Paul|title=Suns make coaching staff changes, drop Kenny Gattison|date=May 29, 2015|work=azcentral.com|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2015/05/29/phoenix-suns-coaching-staff-jeff-hornacek-kenny-gattison/28170329/}}</ref> However, after a poor start to the 2015–16 season, the Suns fired coach [[Jeff Hornacek]] and replaced him with Watson as the interim head coach for the rest of the season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/suns/suns-name-earl-watson-interim-head-coach|title=Suns Name Earl Watson Interim Head Coach|work=NBA.com|date=February 1, 2016|access-date=February 1, 2016}}</ref> While Watson would make his coaching debut on February 2, 2016, at home against the [[Toronto Raptors]], it wouldn't be until February 27, almost a month later, where he'd record his first win with the Suns at home against the [[Memphis Grizzlies]], a team he had previously played under. He would then get his first two-game winning streak on the road as a coach with victories on March 4 against the [[Orlando Magic]] and March 6 against the Grizzlies, respectively. After starting out the season with only one victory in ten games for February, he'd end the season with an 8–15 record the rest of the way, including ending the season with a 3–1 stint. |
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On April 19, the Suns announced that they had agreed to a three-year deal with Watson due to the positive nature he had that was instilled upon the team after he was first hired, making him the full-time head coach of the team. At the time of his promotion to permanent head coach, Watson was the second-youngest head coach in the NBA (behind only [[Luke Walton]]), being 36 when he first started coaching.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/suns/news/suns-name-earl-watson-head-coach|title=Suns Name Earl Watson Head Coach|work=NBA.com|date=April 19, 2016|access-date=April 20, 2016}}</ref> Watson also became the first former [[UCLA Bruins men's basketball|UCLA Bruins]] player to become a head coach in the NBA, as well as the first NBA head coach of [[Hispanic]] descent.<ref name="WatsonPlans">{{cite web|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2016/05/10/bickley-suns-earl-watson-plans-win-over-skeptics/84208496/|title=Suns coach Watson has plans to win over skeptics|work=AZCentral.com|date=May 11, 2016|access-date=May 11, 2016}}</ref> During Watson's first full season as head coach, he continued to promote the same philosophical mindset he had for the Suns back when he first started coaching them, but he'd also adjust the team's focus to being more involved with defense first and then offense second.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2016/09/26/phoenix-suns-embrace-3-star-guards-expect-playoffs/91148776/|title = Phoenix Suns embrace 3 star guards, expect playoffs}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/suns/blog/suns-using-training-camp-instill-defense-first-mindset|title = Suns Using Training Camp to Instill Defense-First Mentality| website=[[NBA.com]] }}</ref> |
On April 19, the Suns announced that they had agreed to a three-year deal with Watson due to the positive nature he had that was instilled upon the team after he was first hired, making him the full-time head coach of the team. At the time of his promotion to permanent head coach, Watson was the second-youngest head coach in the NBA (behind only [[Luke Walton]]), being 36 when he first started coaching.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/suns/news/suns-name-earl-watson-head-coach|title=Suns Name Earl Watson Head Coach|work=NBA.com|date=April 19, 2016|access-date=April 20, 2016}}</ref> Watson also became the first former [[UCLA Bruins men's basketball|UCLA Bruins]] player to become a head coach in the NBA, as well as the first NBA head coach of [[Hispanic]] descent.<ref name="WatsonPlans">{{cite web|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2016/05/10/bickley-suns-earl-watson-plans-win-over-skeptics/84208496/|title=Suns coach Watson has plans to win over skeptics|work=AZCentral.com|date=May 11, 2016|access-date=May 11, 2016}}</ref> During Watson's first full season as head coach, he continued to promote the same philosophical mindset he had for the Suns back when he first started coaching them, but he'd also adjust the team's focus to being more involved with defense first and then offense second.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2016/09/26/phoenix-suns-embrace-3-star-guards-expect-playoffs/91148776/|title = Phoenix Suns embrace 3 star guards, expect playoffs}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/suns/blog/suns-using-training-camp-instill-defense-first-mindset|title = Suns Using Training Camp to Instill Defense-First Mentality| website=[[NBA.com]] }}</ref> |
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Before the start of the [[2017–18 Phoenix Suns season|2017–18 season]], Suns owner [[Robert Sarver]] had told sports agent [[Rich Paul]] of Klutch Sports, who represented Watson at the time, that he planned to fire Watson if the coach did not |
Before the start of the [[2017–18 Phoenix Suns season|2017–18 season]], Suns owner [[Robert Sarver]] had told sports agent [[Rich Paul]] of Klutch Sports, who represented Watson at the time, that he planned to fire Watson if the coach did not sever ties with Klutch.<ref>[https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32440987/phoenix-suns-robert-sarver-allegations-racism-misogyny Allegations of racism and misogyny within the Phoenix Suns], [[ESPN.com]]</ref> After the Suns got off to a 0–3 start, with two blowout losses (including the worst loss in franchise history and worst season opening performance in NBA history), Watson was fired on October 22,<ref>[http://www.nba.com/suns/suns-relieve-earl-watson-head-coaching-duties Suns Relieve Earl Watson of Head Coaching Duties], [[NBA.com]] Published October 22, 2017. Accessed October 22, 2017.</ref> and replaced on an interim basis by associate head coach [[Jay Triano]] for the rest of the season. |
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⚫ | Watson later worked with the [[Junior Basketball Association]] in 2018 and then worked as a [[Pac-12 Network]] and [[NBA TV]] studio analyst from 2019 to 2021. |
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On August 2, 2021, Watson was hired by the [[Toronto Raptors]] as an assistant coach.<ref>{{cite web |title=Raptors Announce 2021–22 Coaching Staff |url=https://www.nba.com/raptors/raptors-announce-2021-22-coaching-staff |website=NBA.com |date=August 2, 2021}}</ref> |
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⚫ |
Watson later worked with the [[Junior Basketball Association]] in 2018 and then worked as a [[Pac-12 Network]] and [[NBA TV]] studio analyst from 2019 to 2021 |
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===Head coaching record=== |
===Head coaching record=== |
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Watson's father, Earl, is [[African Americans|African-American]] and his mother, Estella, is [[Mexican Americans|Mexican-American]]. Because his maternal grandparents were born in [[Mexico]], Watson was eligible to play for the [[Mexico national basketball team]].<ref name=perkins>Chris Perkins. "NBA Extra". ''Palm Beach Post''. January 15, 2006. 7B.</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/2007-06-12-richardson-mexico-cover_N.htm | work=USAToday.com | title=Richardson exporting his deep basketball knowledge | first=Marlen | last=Garcia | date=June 14, 2007 | access-date=May 1, 2010}}</ref> Watson has four brothers and one sister.<ref name=NBA/> He is also involved with the local Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Arizona.<ref name="WatsonPlans" /> One of his brothers, Dwayne, was a retired police officer who died due to blood clots in his legs that were dislodged during an altercation. The assailant, Tremaine Quinn, was sentenced to 36 months of probation for the action.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://andscape.com/features/earl-watson-goes-after-a-victory-close-to-his-heart/|title = Earl Watson goes after a victory close to his heart|date = July 28, 2016}}</ref> That incident would be a major driving force for Earl to take up coaching in basketball.<ref>[https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2016/02/15/phoenix-suns-earl-watson-found-great-motivation-coach/80424882/ Phoenix Suns' Earl Watson found great motivation to coach]</ref> Watson founded the organization "Emagine" to positively impact the youth of his hometown Kansas City, Kansas.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20081029023208/http://www.kckps.org/spotlight/0407spotlight.pdf Spotlight. Vol. 13, No. 3, April 2007]</ref> |
Watson's father, Earl, is [[African Americans|African-American]] and his mother, Estella, is [[Mexican Americans|Mexican-American]]. Because his maternal grandparents were born in [[Mexico]], Watson was eligible to play for the [[Mexico national basketball team]].<ref name=perkins>Chris Perkins. "NBA Extra". ''Palm Beach Post''. January 15, 2006. 7B.</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/2007-06-12-richardson-mexico-cover_N.htm | work=USAToday.com | title=Richardson exporting his deep basketball knowledge | first=Marlen | last=Garcia | date=June 14, 2007 | access-date=May 1, 2010}}</ref> Watson has four brothers and one sister.<ref name=NBA/> He is also involved with the local Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Arizona.<ref name="WatsonPlans" /> One of his brothers, Dwayne, was a retired police officer who died due to blood clots in his legs that were dislodged during an altercation. The assailant, Tremaine Quinn, was sentenced to 36 months of probation for the action.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://andscape.com/features/earl-watson-goes-after-a-victory-close-to-his-heart/|title = Earl Watson goes after a victory close to his heart|date = July 28, 2016}}</ref> That incident would be a major driving force for Earl to take up coaching in basketball.<ref>[https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2016/02/15/phoenix-suns-earl-watson-found-great-motivation-coach/80424882/ Phoenix Suns' Earl Watson found great motivation to coach]</ref> Watson founded the organization "Emagine" to positively impact the youth of his hometown Kansas City, Kansas.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20081029023208/http://www.kckps.org/spotlight/0407spotlight.pdf Spotlight. Vol. 13, No. 3, April 2007]</ref> |
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On May 16, 2009 he married<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://celebritybrideguide.com/jennifer-freeman-earl-watson-wedding-photos/ |title=Jennifer Freeman and Earl Watson Wedding Photos |
On May 16, 2009, he married<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://celebritybrideguide.com/jennifer-freeman-earl-watson-wedding-photos/ |title=Jennifer Freeman and Earl Watson Wedding Photos – Celebrity Bride Guide |access-date=March 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407091040/http://celebritybrideguide.com/jennifer-freeman-earl-watson-wedding-photos/ |archive-date=April 7, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> actress [[Jennifer Freeman]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jenniferfreeman.com/about|title=About|work=jenniferfreeman.com|access-date=May 20, 2013}}</ref> They have a daughter together Isabella Amora Watson.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/.element/media/2.0/teamsites/jazz/2012-13-Jazz-MediaGuide.pdf|title=2012–13 Utah Jazz media guide|page=71|access-date=May 20, 2013}}</ref> They separated in 2011. |
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Watson has stated he takes coaching inspiration from [[UCLA]] all-time great [[John Wooden]].<ref name="WatsonPlans" /> |
Watson has stated he takes coaching inspiration from [[UCLA]] all-time great [[John Wooden]].<ref name="WatsonPlans" /> |
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* 2019 UCLA Latino Alumnus of the Year |
* 2019 UCLA Latino Alumnus of the Year |
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* NAHREP |
* NAHREP – National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professions |
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* 2017 Vanguard Award |
* 2017 Vanguard Award |
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* NCLR |
* NCLR – National Council of La Raza – Roberto Clemente Lifetime Achievement Award |
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* Establishing the Earl Watson Early Childhood Center in 2013 |
* Establishing the Earl Watson Early Childhood Center in 2013 |
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* 2006 Reasons to Believe Award |
* 2006 Reasons to Believe Award |
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{{Phoenix Suns coach navbox}} |
{{Phoenix Suns coach navbox}} |
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{{2001 NBA |
{{2001 NBA draft}} |
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{{Portal bar|Sports}} |
{{Portal bar|Sports}} |
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[[Category:1979 births]] |
[[Category:1979 births]] |
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[[Category:Living people]] |
[[Category:Living people]] |
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[[Category:African-American basketball players]] |
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[[Category:American men's basketball coaches]] |
[[Category:American men's basketball coaches]] |
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[[Category:American men's basketball players]] |
[[Category:American men's basketball players]] |
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[[Category:American sportspeople of Mexican descent]] |
[[Category:American sportspeople of Mexican descent]] |
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[[Category:Basketball coaches from Kansas]] |
[[Category:Basketball coaches from Kansas]] |
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[[Category:Basketball players from Kansas]] |
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[[Category:Denver Nuggets players]] |
[[Category:Denver Nuggets players]] |
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[[Category:Indiana Pacers players]] |
[[Category:Indiana Pacers players]] |
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[[Category:Seattle SuperSonics draft picks]] |
[[Category:Seattle SuperSonics draft picks]] |
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[[Category:Seattle SuperSonics players]] |
[[Category:Seattle SuperSonics players]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Basketball players from Kansas City, Kansas]] |
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[[Category:UCLA Bruins men's basketball players]] |
[[Category:UCLA Bruins men's basketball players]] |
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[[Category:Utah Jazz players]] |
[[Category:Utah Jazz players]] |
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Watson with the Indiana Pacers in 2009
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Personal information | |
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Born | (1979-06-12) June 12, 1979 (age 45) Kansas City, Kansas, U.S. |
Listed height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
Listed weight | 199 lb (90 kg) |
Career information | |
High school | Washington (Kansas City, Kansas) |
College | UCLA (1997–2001) |
NBA draft | 2001: 2nd round, 39th overall pick |
Selected by the Seattle SuperSonics | |
Playing career | 2001–2014 |
Position | Point guard |
Number | 25, 8, 2, 11, 17 |
Coaching career | 2014–present |
Career history | |
As player: | |
2001–2002 | Seattle SuperSonics |
2002–2005 | Memphis Grizzlies |
2005–2006 | Denver Nuggets |
2006–2009 | Seattle SuperSonics / Oklahoma City Thunder |
2009–2010 | Indiana Pacers |
2010–2013 | Utah Jazz |
2013–2014 | Portland Trail Blazers |
As coach: | |
2014–2015 | Austin Spurs (assistant) |
2015–2016 | Phoenix Suns (assistant) |
2016–2017 | Phoenix Suns |
2021–2023 | Toronto Raptors (assistant) |
Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Career statistics | |
Points | 5,593 (6.4 ppg) |
Assists | 3,871 (4.4 apg) |
Steals | 873 (1.0 spg) |
Stats ![]() | |
Stats ![]() | |
Earl Joseph Watson Jr. (born June 12, 1979)[1] is an American professional basketball coach and former player who most recently served as an assistant coach for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins, where he was a four-year starter and named all-conference as a senior in the Pac-10 (now known as the Pac-12). Watson was drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics in the second round of the 2001 NBA draft with the 39th overall selection. He played 13 seasons in the NBA with seven teams before becoming a coach in 2014. He was the head coach of the Phoenix Suns from 2016 to 2017.
Watson is a graduate of Washington High SchoolinKansas City, Kansas. In his senior year of high school he averaged 23.4 points, 8.3 assists and 14 rebounds per game.[2]
Watson was a starter in college at UCLA, at one point playing alongside future NBA All-Star Baron Davis. They were the first two freshmen to start at UCLA since the 1979 season. A four-year starter, Watson started the most consecutive games in the history of UCLA basketball.[2] As a senior in 2000–01, he averaged 14.7 points (2nd on the team, 9th in the pac-10), 5.2 assists, (1st on the team, 2nd most in the Pac-10) 3.7 rebounds, 0.3 blocks, and 1.9 steals (most in the Pac-10, most on the team) per game. He earned first-team All-Pac-10 honors.
Watson was selected in the second round (39th overall) by the SuperSonics in the 2001 NBA draft. In the 2007–08 NBA season, Watson averaged 10.7 points and 6.8 assists with the Sonics. On February 6, 2008, Watson recorded his first-ever triple-double in a game against the Sacramento Kings. Watson logged 23 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in 32 minutes.[3] It was Seattle's first triple-double since Ray Allen registered one on January 28, 2004, against the Los Angeles Lakers.[3]
On July 17, 2009, Watson was waived by the Thunder.[4] He signed a one-year deal with the Indiana Pacers on July 28, 2009.[5]
He signed with the Utah Jazz on September 26, 2010.[6]
On July 10, 2013, he signed with the Portland Trail Blazers.[7]
Watson's final NBA game was played in Game 4 of the 2014 Western Conference Semi-Finals between the Trailblazers and the San Antonio Spurs on May 12, 2014. In his final game, Watson only played for a minute and half and recorded no stats. The TrailBlazers won the game 103 – 92 but this would be their only victory of the series, as they would go on to lose the series in 5 games to San Antonio. Watson retired as a player on October 2, 2014.
GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2001–02 | Seattle | 64 | 0 | 15.1 | .453 | .364 | .639 | 1.3 | 2.0 | .9 | .1 | 3.6 |
2002–03 | Memphis | 79 | 2 | 17.3 | .435 | .341 | .721 | 2.1 | 2.8 | 1.1 | .2 | 5.5 |
2003–04 | Memphis | 81 | 14 | 20.6 | .371 | .245 | .652 | 2.2 | 5.0 | 1.1 | .2 | 5.7 |
2004–05 | Memphis | 80 | 14 | 22.6 | .426 | .319 | .659 | 2.1 | 4.5 | 1.0 | .2 | 7.7 |
2005–06 | Denver | 46 | 10 | 21.2 | .429 | .395 | .627 | 1.9 | 3.5 | .8 | .2 | 7.5 |
2005–06 | Seattle | 24 | 0 | 25.1 | .432 | .420 | .731 | 3.0 | 5.4 | 1.3 | .1 | 11.5 |
2006–07 | Seattle | 77 | 25 | 27.9 | .383 | .329 | .735 | 2.4 | 5.7 | 1.3 | .3 | 9.4 |
2007–08 | Seattle | 78 | 73 | 29.1 | .454 | .371 | .766 | 2.9 | 6.8 | .9 | .1 | 10.7 |
2008–09 | Oklahoma City | 68 | 18 | 26.1 | .384 | .235 | .755 | 2.7 | 5.8 | .7 | .2 | 6.6 |
2009–10 | Indiana | 79 | 52 | 29.4 | .426 | .288 | .710 | 3.0 | 5.1 | 1.3 | .2 | 7.8 |
2010–11 | Utah | 80 | 13 | 19.6 | .410 | .336 | .671 | 2.3 | 3.5 | .8 | .2 | 4.3 |
2011–12 | Utah | 50 | 2 | 20.7 | .338 | .192 | .674 | 2.4 | 4.3 | 1.1 | .4 | 3.0 |
2012–13 | Utah | 48 | 4 | 17.3 | .308 | .179 | .680 | 1.8 | 4.0 | .8 | .2 | 2.0 |
2013–14 | Portland | 24 | 0 | 6.7 | .273 | .286 | 1.000 | .6 | 1.2 | .2 | .0 | 0.5 |
Career | 878 | 227 | 22.2 | .411 | .324 | .703 | 2.3 | 4.4 | 1.0 | .2 | 6.4 |
Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2004 | Memphis | 4 | 0 | 15.5 | .533 | .000 | 1.000 | 2.3 | 1.8 | 1.3 | .0 | 4.8 |
2005 | Memphis | 4 | 0 | 18.5 | .333 | .111 | 1.000 | 2.5 | 3.8 | .8 | .3 | 4.8 |
2014 | Portland | 4 | 0 | 3.5 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .3 | .3 | .0 | .0 | 0.0 |
Career | 12 | 0 | 12.5 | .400 | .077 | 1.000 | 1.7 | 1.9 | .7 | .1 | 3.2 |
On October 2, 2014, Watson was hired as an assistant coach by the Austin Spurs of the NBA D-League, effectively ending his 13-year playing career.[8] He joined the Phoenix Suns as their new assistant coach on July 30, 2015.[9][10] However, after a poor start to the 2015–16 season, the Suns fired coach Jeff Hornacek and replaced him with Watson as the interim head coach for the rest of the season.[11] While Watson would make his coaching debut on February 2, 2016, at home against the Toronto Raptors, it wouldn't be until February 27, almost a month later, where he'd record his first win with the Suns at home against the Memphis Grizzlies, a team he had previously played under. He would then get his first two-game winning streak on the road as a coach with victories on March 4 against the Orlando Magic and March 6 against the Grizzlies, respectively. After starting out the season with only one victory in ten games for February, he'd end the season with an 8–15 record the rest of the way, including ending the season with a 3–1 stint.
On April 19, the Suns announced that they had agreed to a three-year deal with Watson due to the positive nature he had that was instilled upon the team after he was first hired, making him the full-time head coach of the team. At the time of his promotion to permanent head coach, Watson was the second-youngest head coach in the NBA (behind only Luke Walton), being 36 when he first started coaching.[12] Watson also became the first former UCLA Bruins player to become a head coach in the NBA, as well as the first NBA head coach of Hispanic descent.[13] During Watson's first full season as head coach, he continued to promote the same philosophical mindset he had for the Suns back when he first started coaching them, but he'd also adjust the team's focus to being more involved with defense first and then offense second.[14][15]
Before the start of the 2017–18 season, Suns owner Robert Sarver had told sports agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, who represented Watson at the time, that he planned to fire Watson if the coach did not sever ties with Klutch.[16] After the Suns got off to a 0–3 start, with two blowout losses (including the worst loss in franchise history and worst season opening performance in NBA history), Watson was fired on October 22,[17] and replaced on an interim basis by associate head coach Jay Triano for the rest of the season. Watson later worked with the Junior Basketball Association in 2018 and then worked as a Pac-12 Network and NBA TV studio analyst from 2019 to 2021.
On August 2, 2021, Watson was hired by the Toronto Raptors as an assistant coach.[18]
Regular season | G | Games coached | W | Games won | L | Games lost | W–L % | Win–loss % |
Playoffs | PG | Playoff games | PW | Playoff wins | PL | Playoff losses | PW–L % | Playoff win–loss % |
Team | Year | G | W | L | W–L% | Finish | PG | PW | PL | PW–L% | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Phoenix | 2015–16 | 33 | 9 | 24 | .273 | 4th in Pacific | — | — | — | – | Missed playoffs |
Phoenix | 2016–17 | 82 | 24 | 58 | .293 | 5th in Pacific | — | — | — | — | Missed playoffs |
Phoenix | 2017–18 | 3 | 0 | 3 | .000 | (fired) | — | — | — | — | — |
Career | 118 | 33 | 85 | .280 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – |
Watson's father, Earl, is African-American and his mother, Estella, is Mexican-American. Because his maternal grandparents were born in Mexico, Watson was eligible to play for the Mexico national basketball team.[19][20] Watson has four brothers and one sister.[1] He is also involved with the local Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Arizona.[13] One of his brothers, Dwayne, was a retired police officer who died due to blood clots in his legs that were dislodged during an altercation. The assailant, Tremaine Quinn, was sentenced to 36 months of probation for the action.[21] That incident would be a major driving force for Earl to take up coaching in basketball.[22] Watson founded the organization "Emagine" to positively impact the youth of his hometown Kansas City, Kansas.[23]
On May 16, 2009, he married[24] actress Jennifer Freeman.[25] They have a daughter together Isabella Amora Watson.[26] They separated in 2011.
Watson has stated he takes coaching inspiration from UCLA all-time great John Wooden.[13]
Watson is considered a supporter of the Amateur Athletic Union programs, saying that the right program and right people involved can lead towards more positive experiences for the people involved. He also stated that he likely would have never gotten a scholarship for UCLA if he didn't have the AAU around.[27] He is part-owner of AAU program Earl Watson Elite.[28] He also joined LaVar Ball's Junior Basketball Association committee.[citation needed]
Watson started Earl Watson Early Childhood Center, a preschool in his hometown of Kansas City.[28]
Establishing 70 Earl Watson Elite travel teams on the west coast has helped Earl develop a strong connection in grassroots basketball. Becoming the first head coach in the NBA of Latino descent has allowed Earl to lead the way for diversity in leadership in sports along with receiving a multitude of other awards, including:
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# denotes interim head coach |