It’s official. Christian Watford is a Hoosier.
The 6’7” 215 lb. Birmingham, Alabama native’s recent visit with IU men’s basketball coach Tom Crean on August 23 only confirmed the desire he built up during the elite camp to join the 2009 recruiting class.
Watford and his father told Peegs.com that the decision rested on potential playing time and his relationship with the staff. His father apparently spoke to many close friends and associates who knew Crean to get a better idea of his coaching style. From the day he first met Crean, Watford told Peegs.com that the “coaches there that recruited me stayed the same, never did change." That loyalty played a large role in his decision.
Oh—and it probably helped that IU’s assistant basketball coach
Bennie Seltzer is from Watford’s hometown.
According to The Hoosier Scoop, Watford celebrated his decision later in the evening with Crean, Seltzer and Roshown McLeod at a local Birmingham restaurant. The coaching staff showed the latest recruit from Shades Valley High School their interest by flying down to visit him on the first day of the legal contact period for college coaches.
This commitment is not for naught. Watford falls at #34 on the Rivals150. His performance at the
Adidas May Classic should be duly noted, where he knocked out 20 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks for the M33M Ballers. His choice to run with the Hoosiers should not be taken lightly— his eyes were also set on Alabama, Louisville, Memphis, Missouri, Kentucky, Auburn, UAB, Oklahoma, and Ole Miss.
Watford joins
Bobby Capobianco,
Derek Elston,
Maurice Creek and
Jordan Hulls in the class of 2009 recruits.
Check out our
Indiana Basketball Recruiting forums for more coverage and discussion.
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See how Watford's commitment unfolded:
http://iuplanet.com/forum/indiana-ba...olarships.html
http://iuplanet.com/forum/indiana-ba...uge-asset.html
http://iuplanet.com/forum/indiana-ba...ysis-more.html
More coverage:
Watford makes the call: It’s Indiana | Inside the Hall
Watfords talk about big decision | Peegs
Everbody P.F. Chang tonight | The Hoosier Scoop
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