Josh Watts is off to the USA in August to follow his dream of playing basketball at an elite level, while also studying at university.
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Just prior to his HSC exams in October 2017, the former Chevalier College student decided he would send out an expression of interest to study and play basketball in the United States.
Watts created a YouTube video of his previous representative season where he earned the NSW Southern Junior League Most Valuable Player award.
Watts posted this footage online with his contact details attached in hope of receiving a college offer.
Within a few weeks Joshua was being contacted by coaches from various universities and colleges across a number of states including New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, California, Texas, Oregon and Hawaii.
These offers were to play in the NCAA (division two and three), NAIA (division one) and NJCAA competitions.
Over the next few months Watts completed his HSC and USA College entrance exams, where he finished in the top 15% of all USA students.
As a result, Watts received numerous offers of scholarships ranging from $5000 to $25,000 per year for four years. Watts also had to complete the NCAA eligibility centre and physical health examination prior to accepting any college offers.
After careful consideration Watts decided to accept the offer to be come a student athlete at Castleton University in Vermont.
This was primarily due to the degrees the university offered, as well as a generous scholarship offer.
Watts said he looked forward to receiving a world-class education at Castleton University.
Watts plans on studying Heath Science or Athletic Science in hope of one day becoming a physiotherapist or an occupational therapist.
“My eyes aren’t set on making basketball my career, I’m looking to get a good education,” he said.
“Basketball is a foot in the door to study.”
Watts thanked his former Chevalier College basketball coach John Hargraves for instilling a strong work ethic in him.
“He’s coached me in a team and in smaller groups since I was 13 to 14 up until I was 18,” he said,
“He’s been one of my main coaches. He’s taught me how to play the game the right way and that there’s no shortcuts.”
