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For the second year in a row, Will Wade is able to get a five star power forward from outside Louisiana to commit to LSU.
Last year it was Naz Reid coming from Asbury Park to Baton Rouge; this year Wade is able to get Trendon Watford from Birmingham to make his way to Louisiana. Watford chose LSU over in-state Alabama, Memphis and Indiana.
Watford is a 6-9, 230 pound forward that 247Sports ranks 17th overall, the fourth best power forward and the state of Alabama’s best overall prospect.
LSU is in need of a new starting power forward with Reid departing for the NBA and Watford could very well be next in line. Watford averaged 23.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.1 steals and 2.5 blocks his senior year at Mountain Brook High School. Watford led Mountain Brook to three consecutive state championships and was Alabama’s Mr. Basketball as a junior and senior. He scored nearly 3600 points and is the state of Alabama’s all time leading rebounder with 1,909.
The Wade suspension complicated Watford’s future with LSU. With Wade out, Memphis became 247’s favorite to land Watford. Memphis currently has a top-five recruiting class headlined by James Wiseman, the No. 1 overall composite player in 247’s rankings. But Watford let things sort themselves out at LSU, and the Tigers have their new power forward.
“I was still considering them, but since he got reinstated it’s a big deal in my recruitment,” Watford said at the McDonald’s All-American Game. “They have a good team and he’s a good coach.”