Post by DanMcQ on Jun 27, 2007 6:44:18 GMT -5
Knoxnews.com (6/26): Outsider Wattad feels at home - Georgetown signee enjoying Rocky Top
While Tennessee and former Tennessee men's basketball players are grabbing headlines and highlights in the Pilot Rocky Top League, Omar Wattad plugs along unselfishly.
Wattad, a Georgetown signee from Johnson City's Science Hill High School, said winning - not glory - is what it's all about for him.
"Any team I play on, I try to win, and I try to guard and give effort on the defensive end,'' said Wattad, a 6-foot-6 freshman wing. "It's wrong to the game of basketball if you don't give effort on the defensive end.''
"We yield to J.P. and Tyler because they're our go-to guys, and I'm cool with that,'' Wattad said. "My shots feel good, but I'm missing some threes I shouldn't be missing.''
That means more hard work for Wattad, who knows his work will be cut out for him at Georgetown.
"They'll probably play me at the 3 and the 2, but freshman year, we'll see what happens,'' Wattad said. "Coach (John) Thompson is an honest guy. He's blunt and straightforward. He says the best players are going to play.
"I think definitely, my second year, you'll see me on the court.''
Wattad entertained offers from Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, UNC-Wilmington and George Washington before signing with the Hoyas in April. He said he took an unofficial visit to UT, but was not offered a scholarship.
"But there's no bad blood, I'm not mad at Tennessee,'' Wattad said. "I think I'm at the right place at Georgetown.''
Wattad, a Georgetown signee from Johnson City's Science Hill High School, said winning - not glory - is what it's all about for him.
"Any team I play on, I try to win, and I try to guard and give effort on the defensive end,'' said Wattad, a 6-foot-6 freshman wing. "It's wrong to the game of basketball if you don't give effort on the defensive end.''
"We yield to J.P. and Tyler because they're our go-to guys, and I'm cool with that,'' Wattad said. "My shots feel good, but I'm missing some threes I shouldn't be missing.''
That means more hard work for Wattad, who knows his work will be cut out for him at Georgetown.
"They'll probably play me at the 3 and the 2, but freshman year, we'll see what happens,'' Wattad said. "Coach (John) Thompson is an honest guy. He's blunt and straightforward. He says the best players are going to play.
"I think definitely, my second year, you'll see me on the court.''
Wattad entertained offers from Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, UNC-Wilmington and George Washington before signing with the Hoyas in April. He said he took an unofficial visit to UT, but was not offered a scholarship.
"But there's no bad blood, I'm not mad at Tennessee,'' Wattad said. "I think I'm at the right place at Georgetown.''
