Last week at the Holiday Hoopsgiving event in Atlanta, arguably the best performance of the day came from Mountain Brook (Ala.) forward Trendon Watford. The five-star prospect in the 2019 class started the game as more of a facilitator to all the shooters around him, but in the second half, he took over the 79-62 win over Norcross (Ga.), finishing with 36 points and 12 rebounds.
The list of schools recruiting Watford essentially includes all the top programs in the Southeast. He rattled off a list that included Alabama, Florida State, LSU, TCU, Auburn, Mississippi State and Indiana. He also mentioned Kentucky as a school showing interest lately. Virginia Tech offered following Friday’s game as Buzz Williams was in attendance.
Kentucky and Mississippi State also had assistants courtside for Watford on Friday.
IN HIS OWN WORDS
Alabama: “I like their program. It’s the first year with two top recruits, so they are doing pretty well.”
Florida State: “I like them a lot. They have a history of guys coming in like me and making it to the NBA, so maybe I could fit into their system.”
Indiana: “Coach Archie (Miller) is a great coach. He’s been doing great since before he got there to Indiana.”
Kentucky: “I’ve been talking to them a little lately. They are still looking at me. I took a visit there last year and it went pretty went well.
Mississippi State: “They are pretty good too. They are rebuilding, but they are getting top recruits too so they are on their way.”
RIVALS' REACTION
Until this point, the two schools that seem to be doing the best job recruiting Watford were Alabama and Florida State. Alabama has already had him on campus, and he’ll be headed to Florida State when the Seminoles take on Duke. Indiana is one to watch as well as his brother Christian Watford was a star player for the Hoosiers. And as always, if John Calipari gets involved in his recruitment, Kentucky will be a factor.
