Pepperdine University Athletics

CAREER: In two playing seasons, has scored seven goals and assisted on seven more.

PEPPERDINE 2019: Appeared in 24 games as a sophomore … Scored two goals and assisted on one more … Named to Golden Coast Conference All-Academic team … Named a Pepperdine Scholar-Athlete.

PEPPERDINE 2018: Played in 24 games as a true freshman … scored five goals on 22 shots and assisted on six more for a total of 11 points … Tallied five steals and drew three exclusions on the year … Named a Pepperdine Scholar-Athlete.

HIGH SCHOOL: Graduated from Oaks Christian High School in Westlake Village, Calif.in 2018 … Named to All-America California and Hawaii tenth team, All CIF Southern Section Division 1 third team and All Marmonte League first team as a senior … Scored 38 goals and recorded 77 assists as a senior, finishing his high school career with 146 goals and 204 assists … CIF Division 1 runners-up in 2017 … Oaks Christian Academic Scholar-Athlete for three years.

CLUB: Played for Pride Water Polo Academy (2016-17) Vanguard Aquatics (2013-15) and Palos Verdes/South Bay United (2009-2013) … 2016 Junior Olympic third place… 2016 Platinum Division and US Club Championship third place.

PERSONAL: Son of Gabe and Shirlene Watson … Has a single sibling, Jordan … Would like to start a non-profit organization … Father played tennis for New Mexico State, brother Jordan played water polo at Pepperdine and cousin Derek Watson played football at University of New Mexico … Enjoys Surfing, Photography and going to Youth Group … Chose Pepperdine because “it offers a great balance of academic rigor, great Division 1 athletics, a beautiful location in Malibu and an essential family environment that will help me grow in my faith, throughout my college years and will support me in becoming the person I want to be.”

FAVORITES: Kobe Bryant (Pro Athlete) … Los Angeles Lakers (Pro Team) … Through Painted Deserts (Book) … Black Panther (Movie) … Seinfeld (TV Show) … Chance the Rapper (Musical Artist) … Gluten-Free foods (Food) … Surfing and Basketball (Sports besides water polo) … Favorite part about water polo is “the creativity that water polo offers both for the individual and the team, as well as the sheer intensity and physical and mental demands necessary to compete.”