As we prepare to release our new player rankings for each class in the state, another prospect that will benefit nicely in our next player rankings for the 2026 Class is Sandra Day O'Connor High School's 6-foot-6, 185-pound junior guard Colton Watson. Watson is a very nice talent with unique size and a skillset for the guard position, and he is quickly rising up the charts in our player rankings for the 2026 Class. Sandra Day O'Connor High School is one of the elite teams in the state, and set to have another strong opportunity to win a state championship this season. Watson's play will be a big factor in another state title run for Sandra Day, and he is becoming one of top prospects in the class in the process.
While his high school teammate, 6-foot-8 senior Michael Simcoe, has received loads of college recruitment this spring and summer, Watson has also gained serious recruiting attention, as a result of the many coaches that have ventured to see Simcoe. Watson is talented enough and has enough upside to warrant loads of attention from college coaches, especially from coaches that are specifically watching him play and compete. While the recruitment for Watson is just beginning to develop, he should begin to receive numerous offers for himself over the next year, as more college programs begin to focus on the younger 2026 Class.
Watson has excellent versatility as a player and as a college prospect. He is able to play multiple positions on the floor, including the point guard position. At 6-foo-6, Watson is a very big guard prospect, which is a very attractive attribute for a player. He enjoys having the ball in his hands and making plays off the dribble for himself and his teammates. He is also very agile and athletic - able to finish plays at and above the rim over defenders. He is a good shooter of the basketball with range on his shot, which sets up his drives to the basket. He has a solid mid-range game that is improving, and he is good in transition and in the open floor, where he likes to push the ball up the court. His size and skillset will allow him to play in a college system that plays a half-court style or an uptempo style of play.
Watson is coming off a strong spring and summer with an AZ Select 16U team that was very talented. Watson is now taking the next step in his career, and he has developed into one of the top prospects in Arizona's 2026 Class, and should soon see his recruitment benefit as well.
Sandra Day O'Connor High School is very talented as a team and is set to have a big high school season this year, as they are now consistently one of the top overall programs in the state. Last season, Sandra Day finished with a 21-10 overall record on the season and finished as 6A State Champion Runner-Ups. This season they will be right in the mix again for the state championship, and are a clear favorite to win a 6A Title. Depending on their performance in the Open Division State Playoffs, Sandra Day will also be a favorite to go deep into the Open Division State Playoffs as well.
Last season as a sophomore, Watson put up good numbers, but I expect him to now have a serious breakout performance this season, as he is now an upperclassman and a superb talent in the AIA Division. The combination of Watson, Simcoe and 6-foot-1 senior guard Tayvion Wilson this high school season, is one of the best trios in the state. I am expecting big things from this team and Colton Watson this high school season.
