Gorman grad Kashif Watson looks to follow brother’s footsteps into NBA

Justin M. Bowen

Former Bishop Gorman High standout Kashif Watson cheers from the bench Friday during an NBA Summer League game at Cox Pavilion. Watson, a guard, is playing for Golden State.

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Saturday, July 10, 2010 | 2:05 a.m.

Bishop Gorman High graduate Kashif Watson knows his road to landing on a NBA roster won’t be easy.

Watson, a 6-foot-4 guard, is playing for the Golden State Warriors this week during the NBA Summer League at the Cox Pavilion and Thomas & Mack Center. The 23-team, 10-day event started Friday and runs through July 18.

Watson, who finished his college career at the University of Idaho last winter, is confident he can go from undrafted free agent and NBA long shot to earning a spot in the league.

He said he just needs an opportunity to showcase his skills. That chance will have to wait a few days.

Watson didn’t play Friday in Golden State’s 77-76 victory against the New Orleans Hornets.

“We have four more games I have to get ready for. I will get my reps,” he said.

After leading Gorman to the 2005 large-school state championship, Watson was committed to play for San Diego State. He wound up at a prep school and two different junior colleges before finishing his career at Idaho the last two years.

He averaged 10.7 points and 2.1 assists per game last winter, which was good enough to catch the eyes of the Warriors. It didn’t hurt that his older brother, C.J. Watson, has played the last three seasons for Golden State.

C.J. Watson was also undrafted and worked his way through the NBA Developmental League to the NBA. It will likely be the same route Kashif Watson will have to take.

“He told me to stay focused and play my game,” Kashif Watson said. “I need to let the game come to me and play like I know I’m capable of.”

Golden State arrived in Las Vegas Wednesday and practiced at Sierra Vista High. Watson was excited to be back home.

The next order of business is getting some playing time.

“It’s great to be home. I always like being in Vegas,” Watson said.

Former Rebel Beck with Nuggets

Romel Beck, who played for UNLV from 2004-05, had three points Friday for the Denver Nuggets in an 88-70 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

Beck, a 6-foot-7 swingman, was the leading scorer last year of the Dakota Wizards of the NBA Developmental league with 17.9 points per game. His professional career has included stops in Mexico and Italy.

Beck, who is also part of the Mexican national team, only played two minutes. His lone points came on a 3-pointer. He played for San Antonio last year during the summer league.

Coby Karl, Denver coach George Karl’s son, led Denver with 16 points.

Lakers fall in first game

Austin Daye’s game-high 22 points lifted the Detroit Pistons to an 89-84 victory against the Cox Pavilion fan-favorite Los Angeles Lakers.

Detroit, which outscored the Lakers by 14 points in the fourth quarter, also got 17 points from rookie Terrico White of Ole Miss.

Rookie Devin Ebanks from West Virginia led the Lakers with 21 points on 9-of-16 shooting. Derrick Caracter added 20 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.

Big fourth quarter carries rockets

Houston’s Jermaine Taylor had 25 points on 10-of-19 shooting and the Rockets outscored the Phoenix Suns by 15 points in the fourth quarter of a 100-82 victory.

Rookie Patrick Patterson of Kentucky finished with 18 points in 20 minutes for Houston and forward Jordan Hill had 16 points.