Watford ready for cream and crimson
Christian Watford was waiting for this day for a while. The four-star forward from Alabama knew his future head coach would be coming to his home for a visit and he knew Tuesday was decision day.
Watford welcomed Indiana head coach Tom Crean into his home and told the Hoosiers head coach that he was ready to wear the cream and crimson.
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"I pulled off to the side and I told him. He went crazy," Watford said of Crean's reaction. "He started hugging me. It was crazy. Man, does he have a good grip. I'm excited to play for him."
Watford, a top 35 prospect in the class of 2009, joins a solid class already committed to Indiana. Four-star guard Maurice Creek, four-star forward Derek Elston, three-star point guard Jordan Hulls and three-star forward Bobby Capobianco have already given Crean a pledge.
The Hoosiers beat a number of high-level programs when the race came around the corner and approached finish line, Watford said.
"Indiana stayed with me," he said. "Memphis and Louisville and all of those guys were ahead of them but [Indiana] stayed consistent and they stayed with me. Nothing changed with them but they just stayed on me. I kind of fell in love with them when I went up there [for the elite camp]."
A skilled forward, Watford gives the team an added weapon both inside and out. Watford said Crean doesn't want him to change his tune either.
"He basically wants me to come in and be the same player, a versatile player. You know, just a do it all kind of guy. Of course, I want to be the top priority and he told me I'd have a chance to be the top priority," Watford said.
"He wants me to come in and start from scratch at Indiana and help get the program to where it usually is."