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Meet Your Neighbor: Meet the Neighbor – Charles “CJ” Watson
By Callie Thomas
Talk about hoop dreams becoming a reality. The story of 89117 resident Charles “CJ” Watson is as inspiring as the video clip you’d see on ESPN or SportsCenter just before the big basketball game. Imagine a four year old CJ, along with his little brother Kashif, tearing up the gym or neighborhood park each day with their dad, not just playing on the swings but learning about basketball, practicing their moves and loving every minute. That passion for the game steered Watson through his formative years and helped him grow up to become an in demand recruit who eventually signed with the University of Tennessee and later with the NBA, playing first for the Chicago Bulls and currently with the Brooklyn Nets. Even brother Kashif took the court for the University of Idaho and went on to play for a professional Canadian basketball team.
What both boys have in common is not just the love of the game, but also parents that instilled a work hard – play hard philosophy coupled with a sense of value that has shaped the young athletes’ lives. It has also been an inspiration that has led the Las Vegas native and Bishop Gorman graduate to initiate an organization called the “Quiet Storm Foundation,” whose mission is to provide every youth with opportunities and resources to realize their maximum potential.
Watson makes a point to not be so quiet about Quiet Storm. He supports the foundation in a variety of ways and is even an avid tweeter on the subject. The basketball star and philanthropist talks about growing up with supportive and faithful parents, being a dad to his own daughter and why giving his time and effort to create opportunities for youth and families, both local and abroad, is as exciting as making a full court shot.
Your parents have been hugely influential to your success as both a basketball player and in giving back to the community.
“My mom and dad have played a major part in my life and my brother’s as we were growing up. We share great and proud moments playing together during those days at the gymnasium and park and even played against some of the greatest players in Las Vegas. To this day, my mom and dad travel month after month to the cities that my brother and I work. They have instilled a confidence in us and strong, spiritual beliefs.”
Your nickname is “Quiet Storm.”
(Smiles) “I’ve always been a relatively shy guy and that’s what my family and coaches have called me, so hopefully my actions speak louder than words. I am a family person and enjoy working in different communities – with the people in Las Vegas and where I am assigned each season to help improve the lives of families. I’ve always wanted to help others.”
Tell us about the Quiet Storm Foundation.
“We provide positive educational and recreational opportunities to youth, particularly those who are disadvantaged. It provides academic scholarships, educational incentives, books, field trips, clothing as well as after school programs. Quiet Storm has also sponsored Hoops for Hope, a community program held with youth in Las Vegas each year since its inception.”
You are a father, too, so this must be really important.
“Yes, my daughter Ayanna is everything. I’m dedicated to giving her what I didn’t have… without spoiling her!”
She has a different personality than you.
“She’s definitely outgoing and talks a lot and I love spending time with her.”
Aside from your daughter, what other accomplishments make you proud?
“Graduating from college, playing a game I love and giving back to the community.”
If you weren’t a professional basketball player what other job or occupation would you pursue?
“I majored in psychology at the University of Tennessee and continued working toward this degree every summer after starting my basketball career. I would be a psychologist to help and advise others through life’s experiences.”
