- January 16, 2025
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With just three seniors, a new coach and almost no returners from last season’s team, Olympia High boys basketball hit the reset button coming to the 2024-25 season and leaned on its youth to carry the team forward.
One of the five sophomores on this Titans’ young core, who has been central to their 12-6 start, has been 6-foot-7 forward Jonathan Watts. In 18 games, he’s averaged 11.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.
Watts, a mainstay on the club hoops circuit as a member of the Florida Rebels in the EYBL, has already established himself as one of the state’s top Class of 2027 prospects thanks to his outstanding play in national invite-only camps, such as the CP3 Rising Starts National Camp.
Age: 16
Sport: Boys basketball
Grade: Sophomore
School: Olympia High
How does it feel to be named Athlete of the Week?
It’s a blessing to be selected for the accolade of Athlete of the Week. This has been one of my goals to achieve since I got to high school.
What do you enjoy the most about basketball?
I enjoy competing and seeing all of the hard work that I put in translate to my games.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from basketball?
Hard work will always beat talent when talent fails to work hard.
What is your favorite basketball memory?
My favorite basketball memory is my first dunk ever, which was the summer of my eighth-grade year.
Who is your favorite athlete?
LeBron James is my favorite athlete, because, in my opinion, he is the best player ever, and he has great businesses off the court, too.
Is there someone after whom you try to model your game?
I try to model my game after Kevin Durant.
What is your go-to pre-game meal?
Usually a fruit bowl from Publix. Shout out to Publix for the best fresh fruit.
What is your go-to pre-game hype song?
I don’t really have a specific go-to pre-game hype song, but I like to just listen to calm music before games, like any genre of music with a soft beat.
What is your favorite non-sports hobby?
My favorite non-sports hobby is playing video games.
What is your favorite subject in school?
English, mostly because we read interesting books.
What are three things you would take with you to a deserted island?
Three things I would take to a deserted island would be my phone, so I can try to call someone to come and get me, my slides and gummies.
What is your favorite movie?
My favorite movie is “Friday,” because it is a comedy classic, and I love to laugh.
If you could have dinner with one person — dead or alive — who would it be?
Jesus, because I would want to ask him all the questions that I have.
If you could go back in time to a specific period in history, when and where would you go?
I would go back to the ’90s, because of the stories that my mom has told me and the videos that I have seen on social media; the ’90s just seemed like a really good time period in history. The music, sports — everything.
Looking back, what piece of advice would you give your younger self?
Start working harder at basketball at a younger age, because I feel like I started behind the eight ball a little bit.
If you could ask your future self a question, what would it be?
What is the NBA like?
Who is your favorite superhero?
Batman because of how serious he is and also that he lives two different lives as two different people.
Who is your favorite supervillain?
The Joker because of his personality and how he is unpredictable.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
Super speed because it would be very convenient.
If you could travel to three places in the world, where would you go and why?
I would go to the Great Wall of China, Johannesburg in South Africa and Rome. I would want to travel to all those places because of the deep history.
What is your most controversial food take?
Pancakes are nasty.
