PHOENIX SUNS
Lonzo Ball wants former Suns coach Earl Watson to head UCLA basketball
Jan 6, 2019, 4:17 PM
(AP Photo)
(AP Photo)
Former Phoenix Suns head coach Earl Watson got a ringing endorsement earlier this week for one of college basketball’s most prestigious jobs.
Los Angeles Lakers point guard and former UCLA standout Lonzo Ball said in an interview he’d prefer Watson take over as the Bruins’ head coach.
The position has been open since Dec. 31, when Steve Alford was fired in the middle of his sixth season at the helm.
“I’d like to see maybe Earl Watson get the job,” Ball said. “He’s got coaching experience in the league, he’s an alumni and I think he’d be a good fit.”
Watson, 39, has been out of coaching since the Suns fired him in October 2017.
He enjoyed a very successful college playing career at UCLA, starting all four years for the Bruins at point guard.
A 13-year NBA playing career helped Watson land the Suns job in 2015.
Watson was just 33-85 leading Phoenix, however.
Watson has been linked with the UCLA job, so Ball could get his wish and Watson a return to coaching.
