Following an introduction by CEO David Hardy and speeches by mom Charlena, dad Maurice Sr. (BL's coach) and athletic director Joe Dunn that outlined Watson's climb and put his career/character into perspective, the young man they call "Doo-Wop" stepped behind the podium and delivered his own poignant comments. (Among them, talking about Sr.: "He's an example of a father, not just a dad.")
Then, he ripped off his Warriors' warmup to reveal a BU T-shirt, tugged on a matching red hat and - hey, check out the generosity - tossed shirts and/or hats to his parents and brothers, Tymir, 14, and Tyreese, 10.
All the while, 75-odd people stuffed inside a conference room - maybe 20 held aloft cellphones to shoot pics and/or video - loved every moment.
Hardy cited Watson's "extraordinary character" and how he "accepts everything we're trying to do here; embraces it." He finished his stint by shaking Watson's hand and telling him, "Thank you for all you have done for our school."
Mom noted her son had begun his basketball journey at age 4. By age 8, Dad added, a basketball mentor in West Philly, Mike Carter, had identified Maurice as "The One" and soon was putting him through training sessions lasting as long as 4 hours.
Despite the 1,659 career points, and nibbles that had gone back to his freshman year, Dad said Son entered the summer with only one scholarship offer (Rice). Thanks to bang-up performances on the AAU trail for Team Philly, coached by Kyle Sample, the number mushroomed to 18; most Ivies were also involved.
"In June, it was, 'Why isn't my phone ringing?' " Son said. "Two weeks ago, it was, 'God, I hope my phone stops ringing . . . I want to get my number changed.' "
