Watson’s drive to be the best helps Desales excel on court
When Pat Murphy found out about what Des Watson was doing, he was concerned.
Three or four times a week during the basketball season, Watson would wake up at 4:30 a.m. to do a shooting workout with his personal trainer before heading to school. He’d then go to practice after school, go home and do it all again the next day.
This pattern was worrisome for Murphy, the boys basketball coach at Desales High School, who didn’t want Watson to overextend himself and work too much, especially during the season. But he quickly realized Watson wouldn’t have it any other way.
“For him, it’s like an addiction,” Murphy said. “Just working out, getting better. He thrives on it. He loves it. That’s the biggest thing about him I feel is special.”
Watson, who committed to play at Davidson College next fall, is the engine behind much of the Stallions’ success this season. The Central District player of the year in Division II averages 25 points, six rebounds and four assists per game.
As Desales (18-7) prepares for a Division II state semifinal against Dayton Chaminade Julienne (15-9) at 11 a.m. Saturday at University of Dayton Arena, the Stallions will be counting on Watson, just as they have all season.
“He can score any way it’s possible on a basketball court,” Murphy said of the 6-foot-5 senior. “He’s a great leader, great kid, great student. He’s a really huge positive for us. When we walk on the court, we typically have the best player on the court every night.”
What makes Watson special beyond just his on-court talents, Murphy says, is his work ethic — as evidenced by the pre-dawn workouts.
“He wants to get better,” Murphy said. “He wants to be coached. Guys like that are just a coach’s dream. You find out as a coach, you have really good teams when your best players are the hardest workers. That doesn’t always happen. A lot of times, your most talented players are not your hardest workers and that creates problems.”
Watson’s reason for working so hard is simple.
“Because there’s somebody else that’s also working,” he said. “I just want to be the best and that’s what drives me.”
Having a close relationship with Ohio State’s all-time leading scorer, Dennis Hopson, certainly doesn’t hurt
Watson on his quest to be the best. Hopson and Watson’s father, Daryl, were roommates in college and remain close friends — close enough that Watson knows Hopson as his uncle.
Watson and Hopson talk regularly and have worked out together on occasion, though Watson describes their workouts more as learning sessions.
“It’s really just encouragement from him,” Watson said. “Just like, ‘You know what’s gonna happen. You know what the other team’s gonna bring. You just be ready and be patient.’ I’ve gotten in the gym with him multiple times and in this offseason I’m gonna be with him a lot more.
“It’s great because you just learn so much. It’s really more learning than it is doing stuff. He just teaches you so much. … (He’s taught me to) be patient. No need to rush anything. Let the game
come to you.”
Watson’s individual goals are to win Ohio’s Mr. Basketball and be the Gatorade player of the year in the state. As a team, though, all he wants is to win a state championship.
This year’s state tournament is his first and last chance. Desales lost in the district round in his freshman or sophomore years, and last year’s tournament was postponed when the Stallions were set to play in a regional semifinal.
“It would mean everything,” Watson said. “It’s only a kid’s dream to win a state championship. I’ve been wanting to win a state championship since freshman year, so it would mean everything. … I’m ready to play. I hate waiting but I’m ready to play. I think everybody on our team is excited and ready.” bjohnson@dispatch.com @baileyajohnson_