Providence Basketball: Four-star forward Nate Watson lands with Friars

Providence basketball head coach Ed Cooley reels in his second 2017 prospect.

After point guard Makai Ashton-Langford spurned the Providence Friars for the UConn Huskies just five days ago, head coach Ed Cooley and his staff bounced back with the addition of 2017 forward Nate Watson on Saturday.

The 6’8″, 250 pound four-star prospect visited the school this weekend and opted to commit to the Friars over a host of other offers, including North Carolina State, Maryland and Miami, amongst others.

Four-star center Nate Watson tells ESPN he has committed to Providence. https://t.co/0F5Jrz15TR

— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) September 11, 2016

Watson is not ranked in ESPN’s top 100, however, he slots in at 63rd on Scout.com’s top 100. ESPN has Watson ranked as the 16th best player at his position in 2017 and the second best talent in the state of Virginia.

Regardless of where Watson’s stock lands on the recruiting rankings, this is a huge commitment for the Friars.

Providence lost forward Ben Bentil to the 2016 NBA Draft and have been trying to re-tool their front court this off-season. They added former Indiana Hoosier Emmitt Holt and tough freshman Kalif Young to go along with junior Rodney Bullock.

But with Bullock and Holt both having just two years of eligibility remaining, it was time to plan for the future. A front court consisting of Young, Watson and Providence’s first commitment in the class of 2017, four-star center Dajour Dickens, will be powerful, tough and aggressive.

Watson is an Ed Cooley-type-of-player, as he is a bit undersized but has the tenacity to compete on the glass and the motor to make plays on both ends of the floor. He has mobility, length and athleticism, plus he has good hands, touch and an ability to finish around the rim. He could be a solid pick-and-roll player and excellent rebounder for the Friars.

The forward doesn’t offer much shooting beyond the mid-range and isn’t overly skilled on the block, but his combination of physical tools and upside give the Friars a potential gem in 2017.

Cooley and Providence have made three straight NCAA Tournaments. The Friars have used that success and the development of Bentil and Kris Dunn to reel in highly touted players that will give them consistency as a program moving forward.

This is yet another win for Cooley and his staff.