It is nice to see the SEC recognize former Gamecocks basketball star guard Melvin Watson (1994-98), he will be one of 12 former SEC players and coaches to be honored at this years SEC Tournament as “Legends of SEC Basketball,” a program that began in 1999.
Melvin Watson was a four-year letterwinner for the Gamecocks from 1995-98. The 6-1, 195-pound guard from Charleston, S.C. played in 119 games during his collegiate career, scoring 1,424 points, which still ranks 13th in school history. He was a member of the 1995 SEC All-freshman team. Watson, a 1997 First-Team All-SEC selection and a 1998 second-team honoree, still ranks as Carolina’s all-time leader in games started (116) with teammate BJ McKie, while he also ranks first in career assists (543) and fourth in steals (194).
During a three-year stretch from 1996-98, the Gamecocks posted an impressive 66-28 record, including a 34-14 mark in the SEC. Watson helped lead South Carolina to its first SEC championship in 1997.
He currently is a assistant basketball coach at South Pointe High School in Rock Hill.
