COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Watson to return; Smith staying in NBA Draft

From news services

After testing the NBA Draft waters and doing workouts with several teams, Gonzaga senior Anton Watson announced he'll return for his final season of eligibility on his social media page on Wednesday night.

Watson, a 6-foot-8, 225 pound forward, was tabbed Honorable Mention All-West Coast Conference this past season. He was second in the conference, shooting 60.8 percent from the field, while also topping the league in conference play at 64.8 percent. He started all 37 games in 2022-23, averaging 11.1 points per game, and 12.9 points per WCC contest.

The Gonzaga Prep graduate had 66 steals, which was second in the conference and the fourth-most in a single season in program history. He is seventh all-time at GU with 162 career steals. The senior has appeared in 116 games during his Gonzaga career, starting in 59. The Zags are 105-11 in his collegiate appearances.

Malachi Smith, a 6-4 transfer guard from Chattanooga, announced on social media he will remain in the draft and will not return to the program. Smith averaged 8.7 points per game in 37 games, starting one in his only season with Gonzaga.

Washington State’s Justin Powell, a 6-6 guard, also opted to remain in the draft. Powell started all 34 games last season for the Cougars after transferring from Tennessee, averaging 10.4 points and 3.8 rebounds per game in his only season in Pullman.

Watson averages 8.1 points (939), at 59 percent shooting from the field, in his career. He is shooting 65.3 percent from inside-the-arc. He also averages 4.6 rebounds (530) per outing in his career.

The Bulldogs never fell out of the Top-20 in the Associated Press poll during Watson's four-year career, with an average ranking of 4.36 over the past four seasons, sitting at No. 1 for 30 of the 75 polls.

Watson helped Gonzaga qualify for four NCAA Tournaments and has been a key piece to three straight trips to the Sweet 16, two Elite Eights, and an appearance in the national championship game. The Zags have won a national best 121 games over the past four seasons, going 58-4 in West Coast Conference play with four league regular season titles and four WCC Tournament titles.