Gorman’s Watson selected to Parade All-American team

Spencer Patterson

Monday, April 1, 2002 | 9:44 a.m.

A dream-like senior year got even better for Bishop Gorman's C.J. Watson on Sunday, with the revelation that the star basketball player had earned a spot on Parade Magazine's prestigious High School All-American Team.

Watson, who already had signed early with Tennessee, led the Gaels to the 4A state title and garnered the Sun's 2002 State Player of the Year award, was selected to Parade's fourth team.

"It makes your senior year even better to know you're an All-American," Watson said. "All the hard work really paid off."

The 6-foot-2 guard joins Clark's Kevin Gaines (1999) and Western's Prince Fowler (1994) as the only Nevadans to receive the honor since the magazine began its tradition in 1957.

"It's a big honor," Watson said. "It makes me feel great to be in the same category as all those great players who came before me."

Watson, a three-year starter for Gorman, averaged 26.1 points, eight rebounds, 6.1 steals and five assists in his final season, leading the Gaels to a 28-6 record and their second state championship in three years.

Watson was joined on the fourth team by fellow Tennessee signee Michael Winchester of Milford Academy (Conn.). Westlake (Texas) big man Brad Buckman, a teammate of Watson's on last summer's Pump 'N Run (Calif.) AAU squad, was named to the third team.

"There are a lot of names that I played with or against and others I saw play," Watson said.

LeBron James, a 6-7 junior from St. Vincent-St. Mary (Ohio), earned Parade's 2002 Player of the Year award.