Caper basketball’s Swiss army knife - Paul Watson

Caper basketball's Swiss army knife

Veteran Paul Watson brings versatility to men's program

By Corey LeBlanc

The iconic Swiss army knife, which includes everything from scissors to a screwdriver, is known for its multiple uses.

The one that Matt Skinn has at his disposal measures 6'7", so he doesn't keep it in his pocket.

"I don't know if there is a player in Canada as versatile," the Cape Breton University (CBU) Capers men's basketball head coach says of Paul Watson.

The Mississauga, Ontario native – a fifth-year senior guard-forward – is widely considered one of the top defensive players in U Sports.

Growing up in that city on the edge of Toronto, Watson says the importance of "playing 'D'" was cemented during games on the playground or in the gym.

"There was a lot of trash-talking," Watson says, with a laugh.

He remembers how "locking down" an opponent was a source of pride, one that he has carried with him to Atlantic University Sport (AUS) competition.

"It is a great boost," Watson offers of how defending an opponent effectively – whether one-on-one or five-on-five – benefits his team.

Watson adds it helps "get into their [an opponent's] head."

"It focuses on 'D'," the Bachelor of Arts in Community Studies (BACS) student says when asked to describe his basketball abilities.

"There are so many scorers on our team, and I love doing what I can to help them get shots," Watson explains of his fondness for excelling on that side of the ball.

He notes he "takes pride" in helping his teammates "get dunks and easy lay-ups."

That effort has not gone unnoticed – Watson garnered the AUS top defensive player award in 2019, when he averaged 9.3 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game.

Skinn says his student-athlete has the ability "to defend all five positions on the floor."

"His length and his athleticism," he adds when asked what attributes help make Watson such a quality defender.

Skinn also notes his "quick feet."

He explains Watson not only can defend "smaller and quicker" players, but also "challenge" big men on the inside.

"Paul also has an innate ability to rebound, especially on the defensive end," the Caper head coach says, noting Watson led U Sports in that category during the season he won the AUS top defensive player prize.

"He just has a nose for the ball," Skinn adds.

There are also the steals that come from his ability to get into passing lanes.

"Paul is just incredibly valuable in so many ways," Skinn says.

Floor leader

With his physical attributes – a match-up nightmare, considering his height and ability to handle the ball like a point guard – Watson is not only a key defender for the Capers but also an offensive catalyst.

"I can help stretch the floor," he notes.

With his ability to play on the perimeter, Watson draws bigger players away from the hoop, which carves out space not only for Caper inside scorers, but also him and his teammates who excel at driving down the lane. Those forays to the basket are also less challenging when he has drawn shot-blockers away from the basket.

And, with his speed and athleticism, he can take advantage of his match-ups with bigger players on the outside. When pitted against smaller and quicker players, Watson has the option to take them into the low post.

"We trust him so much with the ball in his hands," Skinn says, agreeing Watson often serves as CBU's de facto point guard.

He adds Watson will "make the right play or decision nine times out of 10."

Skinn notes his floor leader – he averaged 11.9 points-per-game last season – started taking more three-pointers near the end of the campaign, something the Caper coaches had been encouraging Watson to do for a while.

"Even if he doesn't make it, it is important because it keeps the defense honest," Skinn explains of him adding the "steadily improving" weapon to his repertoire.

"Teams can't key on trying to keep him from getting to the basket off the dribble."

'An easy transition'

Although Watson participated in "all sports" growing up, it didn't take long before he turned his focus to basketball, which also continued a family tradition; his father – Paul Sr. – played in college.

"I am a junior," he notes, with a laugh.

After suiting up for a variety of teams since the seventh grade, Watson attended Loyola Catholic Secondary School, a perennial powerhouse in the sport.

"It was pretty big on basketball," he says.

After three years there, Watson made a move to the west coast – specifically, the outskirts of Los Angeles, California – for prep school, where he played with his close friend, and current Caper teammate, Osman 'Ozzy' Omar.

Becoming a globetrotter, of sorts, Watson's basketball journey took him to the Virgin Islands. In what would have been his second season of university basketball, he explains "scholarship problems" developed, so he decided to "come home."

Back in Mississauga, Watson remembers focusing on "figuring out my next move."

Through Omar, he eventually connected with then Caper head coach David Petroziello.

"It has been great," Watson says of his decision to attend CBU.

He agrees having Omar with him helped greatly with the move to the Sydney campus.

"It was really huge – we were able to feed off each other," Watson remembers, whether it was on the court or in the classroom.

"It made it much easier to adapt."

Watson notes the Virgin Islands and Cape Breton share "a lot of similarities," including their size, along with the closeness and friendliness of the people.

"You meet someone at Walmart – they recognize you and say 'you had a great game,'" Watson offers as an example of the strong support student-athletes receive in both places.

That familiarity also helped make the move "an easy transition."

'Leading by example'

As his Caper career has progressed, Watson has expanded his leadership role – both on and off the court.

"I always just do what I can," he says, whether it is by providing words of encouragement to teammates or with his effort on the floor.

He adds he focuses on doing "extra stuff" that people "might not see," including trying to be the first and last person in the gym or putting up more shots after practice.

"It is about leading by example," Watson offers.

Skinn calls him a "very vocal leader."

"Paul will tell his teammates when they are doing something well, and he is not afraid to say something when they are not," he says.

And, most importantly, Watson sets a stellar example.

"He brings it every day – whether it is in practice or a game," Skinn adds.

Watson's leadership abilities have been valuable recently, as the Capers – like other varsity teams – are dealing with an unprecedented year. As part of the measures taken by the AUS in dealing with the ongoing Covid-19 global pandemic, the men's basketball regular season – an abbreviated one – is not scheduled to tip-off until early 2021. Programs already know there will be no U Sports' national championship tournament in March.

"We are accepting this for what it is – we are focusing on what we can control," he explains.

Watson is one of the dozen Caper players who are in the Sydney area – although CBU classes are being conducted online – preparing for that expected AUS campaign.

"We are continuing to keep in shape and work hard," he says, adding they are concentrating on "keeping doing everything the right way."

When – and if – there is a season, Watson notes the Capers will be "ready to go."

'I love it here'

After he finishes as a Caper student-athlete, Watson will explore playing opportunities overseas. One of his potential landing spots could be Mexico, where his grandfather and other family members live.

"He has never seen me play, so having that chance would be great," he says.

After his playing days end – at least professionally – Watson wants to coach basketball and also teach. Watson has been accepted into CBU's education program starting in May 2021.

"I have always wanted to give back to youth, give my time to helping the next generation," he says.

As for his time at CBU, Watson says "I love it here."

He notes how much he enjoys the "family atmosphere," one that he has been part of – not only in athletics and on campus, but also in the broader community.

"I have formed so many great relationships – it has been such a great experience," Watson adds.

Skinn describes the Academic All-Canadian as "perennially positive."

"Paul is just an awesome guy – our program is lucky to have him," he says.

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