Determination
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Jerica Watson
was born August 20, 1980, in Milwaukee,
Wisconsin. The Daugther of Carline Robinson
and Jerry Watson, Jerica has one older sister,
Nicky and one older brother Travis
along with two younger sisters Cherana and
Clarice and two younger brothers Ben
and *Andrew. Jerica started playing
basketball at age 14 along with Cherana right along side her.
Where did she get her skills?
Her grandmother Pauline Grice also played
highschool basketball. Neither of Watson's parents played basketball,
but her father was active in the U.S military and is now a proud
disabled veteran, using that he would always remind Watson where
she gets her determination.
Growing up in Milwaukee, Wisc., Watson started
playing basketball at the age of 12. Superstar Michael
Jordan and her high school coach provided her with inspiration
and influence. "The first time I saw Michael Jordan, I just
wanted to be like him. I tried to imitate what he did on the basketball
court. But I also tried to be myself ," she said. Watson's
high school coach believed in her at times when she didn't believe
in herself. "She always expected a lot out of me." She
gave me advice on how basketball can help you in life. [She would
say that] going to college and getting a good education are the
most important things in life," said Watson.
With excitement and determination, Watson attended Washington High
School, a place known for producing great basketball players..While
in high school, Watson proved to be a star player on and off the
court. Watson averaged 18.4 points and 10.2 rebounds per game at
Washington High School in Milwaukee, Wis., her senior season. She
lead her team to two consecutive state championships and to four
consecutive conference championships from 1995-98. During, her senior
season, Watson earned first-team All-State, first-team All-Conference,
first-team All-Area.She was the two-time conference Player of the
Year and a member of the All-State All-Tournament Team for three
consecutive seasons. Watson is a member of the Washington High School
1,000 career point club. She was on the Honor Roll from 1996-98
and a member of the Washington High Student Government.Watson
earned enough honors and triumphs to attend the University of Iowa.
1998-99 AS A
FRESHMAN...
Played in 26 games, starting three... earned first collegiate start
against Minnesota (Jan. 5)... averaged 4.0 points and 2.8 rebounds
per game... scored a career high 12 points against Syracuse (Dec.
5), making five-of-seven from the field and two-of-three from the
free throw line... grabbed a season high ten rebounds against Weber
State (Nov. 20)... dished out a season high five assists at Auburn
(Dec. 20)... also had 20 steals and nine blocks.
Knee Injury
With high expectations from herself and others
nothing coould have prepared her for the wears and tears of being
a Division 1 athlete.
1999-00 AS A SOPHOMORE... She played in 11
games and started 10 before tearing her ACL against Indiana (Jan.
2)... had a season ending knee surgery to repair the injury... averaged
8.5 points and 6.8 rebounds before her injury... recorded career
highs in points (20) points, shooting percentage (.833, 5-6), free
throws made (6) and free throw percentage (1.000, 6-6) against Syracuse
(Nov. 28)... tallied a career high 16 rebounds at Marquette (Nov.
16)... tied her career high in steals (4) at Penn State (Dec. 30)...
had double figures in rebounds five times.
However, her love for the game of basketball
inspired her to push through the pain. "Instead of thinking
about my present situation, I thought about the future and how much
better a basketball player I can be," said Watson. Once she
saw improvement, that gave her encouragement. She continued to do
the rehabilitation and listened to her doctors. This year, Watson
is at full strength and ready to help her Hawkeye teammates win
another Big Ten tournament like they did last year.
As a senior
Iowa senior forward Jerica Watson was recognized
as Big Ten Women's Basketball Player of the Week for her record-setting
performance in a nonconference game last week versus Missouri Valley
Conference opponent Creighton. In an 86-43 drubbing of the Bluejays,
Watson collected 26 rebounds to shatter the Big Ten, Iowa women's
basketball, and Carver-Hawkeye arena single-game record for rebounds.
Her exceptional effort did not end there though. Watson recorded
18 points, three assists, six blocks, and three steals in the game
as well. She also receives this honor for her 18 point, nine rebound
performance in a contest earlier in the week against in-state rival
Iowa State.
Quick Jump to Professional basketball
Watson was the 45th pick of the
2002 draft, virtually unknown on the national scene coaches were
impressed by her raw skills and Versatility. However
the element of surprise worked against watson's own talent. She
was told by one of the coaches who picked her that "we didn't
know you were that good". Watson learned that basketball was
a business and in the business world they plan months in advance
who they want. She was eventually waived from the Maimi Sol. What
people don't know is that was asked to stay in Miami for the entire
season and undergo knee surgery. Watson agreed to the offer and
attended practices in order to learn. Even more disappointing the
team lost its first 5 games and eventually folded.
Next Watson tried out for the Phoenix Mercury
and to her disappointment was cut again. Through it all Watson has
never been disappointed at her own skills, "I did better at
the Phoenix camp than I did at Maimi actually so I'm not mad about
that" However she is highly disappointed at the upper levels
of management of both of these teams and has substantial reasons.
1. Miami no longer exist!
2. Phoenix the had
the worst record in the Wnba!
Strange, is her discription
of her experience with professional basketball.
Watson kept her head up and finished
off her degree in Graphic/Fine Art.
Next Watson played one season in the NWBL,
she played for the Tennesse Fury. Played with some great Wnba players
like Becky Hammon and Marie FERDINAND. But
wasn't really able to show all of her skills due to very limited
playing time.
Iceland
Played in Iceland for on a season and a half.
While in Iceland Watson was able to improve on her game leading
her team in scoring with 29 points a game a while as rebounding.
Watson was awarded center of the year and lead her team to a second
place standing overall.
Currently JW is in Spain trying to win a
title "like Mike"
Jerica has been laying in sapin 2005, and
has had considerable success. In her first she played for aviles
and lead them to the playoffs for the first time in 10 years. Her
second she in Aviles she won league MVP.
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