Peyton Watson Biography, Peyton Tyler Watson born September 11, 2002 is an American professional basketball player for the Denver Nuggets of the NBA. A standout high school player, Watson was named a McDonald’s All-American and played one season of college basketball for the UCLA Bruins. He was selected by the Nuggets in the first round of the 2022 NBA Draft with the 30th overall pick.
Peyton Watson Biography 2024
Born on September 11, 2002, in Beverly Hills, California, Peyton Watson is a versatile guard-forward for the Denver Nuggets. He played a crucial role in the Nuggets’ 2023 NBA Championship victory, marking a successful start to his professional career. Watson began his basketball journey at Long Beach Polytechnic High School, where he made the varsity team as a freshman. By his junior year, he was averaging 23.2 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, earning Moore League MVP honors. He also earned spots on the rosters for prestigious events like the McDonald’s All-American Game, Jordan Brand Classic, and Nike Hoop Summit. For college, Watson committed to UCLA, where he became a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top small forwards in his class.
Peyton Watson Biography 2024 Details
| Born | September 11, 2002 (age 22)
Beverly Hills, California, U.S. |
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| Listed height | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
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| Listed weight | 200 lb (91 kg) |
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| High school | Long Beach Poly
(Long Beach, California) |
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| College | UCLA (2021–2022) |
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| NBA draft | 2022: 1st round, 30th overall pick |
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| Playing career | 2022–present |
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| Category | Football Biographies |
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Peyton Watson Latest News
Denver Nuggets’ rising star Peyton Watson shared an inspiring and emotional story about his admiration for Kyrie Irving. After the Nuggets’ narrow 123-120 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night, Watson took a moment to reflect on his journey. As a teenager, Watson had the opportunity to train with Irving, who saw his potential and offered guidance. Years later, Watson, now a key player for the Nuggets, found himself on the same court as his idol.
After the game, he swapped jerseys with Irving, marking a full-circle moment in his career that highlighted his growth both as a player and as a person. For Watson, the experience was more than just a jersey exchange—it was the realization of a childhood dream, and a testament to his hard work and perseverance in making it to the NBA.
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About Peyton Watson
Peyton Tyler Watson is an American professional basketball player for the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association. A McDonald’s All-American in high school, he played one season of college basketball for the UCLA Bruins.
- Born: 11 September 2002 (age 22 years), Beverly Hills, California, United States
- Height: 2.01 m
- Education: Long Beach Polytechnic High School
- 2022–present: Denver Nuggets
- League: NBA
- Listed weight: 200 lb (91 kg)
- NBA draft: 2022: 1st round, 30th overall pick
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High School Career
Watson attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School in Long Beach, California, where he joined the varsity team as a freshman. After initially coming off the bench, he became a key player by his junior year, averaging 23.2 points and eight rebounds per game. His performance earned him Moore League MVP honors. Watson was also selected to compete in prestigious events such as the McDonald’s All-American Game, the Jordan Brand Classic, and the Nike Hoop Summit.
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Recruiting
As a consensus five-star recruit, Watson was ranked as one of the top small forwards in the 2021 recruiting class and was the highest-ranked player from California. On July 27, 2020, he committed to play college basketball at UCLA, choosing the Bruins over offers from Arizona, Gonzaga, Michigan, Oregon, and Washington. Watson made it clear to UCLA’s coaching staff that he planned to be a one-and-done player, aiming to enter the NBA after just one year of college basketball.
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Peyton Watson Position
Peyton Watson primarily plays as a small forward for the Denver Nuggets but is also capable of stepping in as a shooting guard when needed. Known for his strong defensive abilities, Watson led the Nuggets in blocks and was exceptional in restricting opponents, holding them to just 48.3% shooting within six feet of the rim—best in the NBA (minimum 3.5 defensive field goal attempts and 60 games played).
Peyton Watson Draft
In the 2022 NBA Draft, Watson was initially selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the 30th overall pick. However, recognizing his potential, the Denver Nuggets traded for him, securing the promising young talent for their roster.
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Peyton Watson 2024 Salary & Contract
Peyton Watson’s basic salary for the 2023/24 NBA season is $2,303,520. Watson’s net worth is $11,267,516. Peyton Watson currently plays position Shooting Guard for Denver Nuggets in the National Basketball Association, the top basketball league in the United States.
