South Carolina Basketball: Ranking the top-12 point guards in Gamecock history
By Kevin Miller
South Carolina Basketball’s No. 4 Greatest Point Guard of All-Time:
Melvin Watson
The only player to ever average at least 4 assists per game for four seasons as a Gamecock, Melvin Watson (1994-1998) was the perfect point guard to play alongside legendary shooting guard BJ McKie. A great scorer like McKie needed the ball in his hands a fair amount, so Watson developed into the type of point guard who could play with the ball and without the ball.
Watson was able to make quick decisions with the basketball, both as a scorer and as a passer, a trait that was invaluable for Eddie Fogler’s Gamecock teams. Watson and McKie combined for 63 points in the SEC Tournament semifinal in 1998 while assisting each other five times each.
The Charleston native was also an excellent perimeter defender. Watson ranks 4th in Gamecock history in steals and was a tough-nosed player who often guarded bigger guards so McKie could stay fresh.
The three-time All-SEC point guard became a coach after his playing career. He recently won a state championship as the head coach of the South Pointe High School basketball program in Rock Hill, South Carolina.