Top 25 prospect Peyton Watson committed to UCLA on Monday, giving the Bruins the highest-ranked player in the state of California for the first time since 2018.
Watson chose UCLA from a long list of schools that included Gonzaga, Washington, Arizona, Oregon, and Michigan.
“I am the number 1 player in California and I feel like UCLA is the original blue blood,” Watson told ESPN. “It is difficult to miss an amazing school where my parents can see me play and have the support of my community behind me.”
Watson, a 6-foot-7-inch guard from Long Beach Poly High School, is ranked 25th on ESPN 100 by 2021. He averaged 23.5 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists last season.
On a mission Tryna Shift Culture. 100% COMMITTED! 💙💛 pic.twitter.com/m3dekuNR5j
– Peyton Watson (@peytonfromlb) July 28, 2020
Watson made official visits to Gonzaga, Washington, and Arizona, but he also went to UCLA several times unofficially for games.
“I am a great family man,” said Watson. “It means a lot to me that my family can come to the games.”
Watson is Mick Cronin’s second ESPN 100 engagement in the 2021 class, joining four-star shooting guard Will McClendon. Cronin’s first full recruiting class at Westwood included a single player, four-star Jaylen Clark, after five-star point guard Daishen Nix’s decision to avoid college for the G-League.
Cronin also secured the transfer of Kentucky Johnny Juzang, a former top-30 draft pick who received a waiver to play immediately next season for the Bruins.
When Watson arrives on campus, he will join a team that will remain largely intact from the 2020-21 season, with only one senior expected on the team next season.
“I think I can make a big impact right away with my versatility and skills,” he said. “My goal is to bring UCLA to a national championship.”
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