Former Oklahoma City University women?s basketball player
Kesha Watson became the newest member of the Lubbock Hawks on Monday, Nov. 15, signing with the franchise, which will play in the National Women?s Basketball League starting in January.
The NWBL has served as a feeder system to the WNBA during its existence, and Watson hopes to become its next success story.
"That's definitely a motivation for me, because several of the players in this league are WNBA players," Watson said during a news conference on Monday. "It'll be a great learning experience for me to get to that next level."
Watson certainly has the skills. A native of Oklahoma City and graduate of Millwood High School, Watson started all but three games at OCU and helped the Stars compile a 142-7 record and two NAIA national titles, appearing in the national championship game all four years.
Watson averaged 24.1 points per game as a senior last season en route to being named the NAIA Player of the Year for the second straight year. She holds OCU career records in scoring, steals and assists.
The 5-foot-7 Watson currently is a member of the Everyone's Internet travel all-star team, which played against Texas Tech at United Spirit Arena on Monday.
"I'm really looking forward to coming to Lubbock and playing in front of great fans," Watson said. "I'm also excited to play with so many great players. It's going to be an honor for me to be on the same team with them."
Watson should feel at home in Lubbock, especially at the Hawks' homecourt: the Rip Griffin Center. She played there several times during her career at OCU, as the Stars are in the same conference (Sooner Athletic) as Lubbock Christian University.
"I had two of my bigger games of my career there," Watson said.
The Hawks and head coach
Sheryl Estes hope that trend continues when the season begins in January. Watson joins former Texas Tech standouts
Alicia Thompson and Plenette Pierson, Shereka Wright, Stacy Stephens and
Jackie Stiles
