Former Michigan State guard Rocket Watts signs first professional deal

Rocket Watts had a roller-coaster collegiate career, beginning at Michigan State.

The former Spartan guard got to spend a year learning behind Cassius Winston en route to a Big Ten title in 2019-20. He averaged 9.0 points per game and showed flashes of being the next great guard to come through East Lansing in the Tom Izzo era.

However, COVID-19 seemed to hinder a lot of growth for several players, including Watts who was expected to take over the backcourt when Cassius left.

Unfortunately, his sophomore year was a major disappointment as he averaged just 7.7 points and 2.7 assists and shot only 34 percent from the floor. He decided to hit the transfer portal following the season, and he picked Mississippi State, where he started just one game and played in 19. He decided to return home and play for Oakland where he spent two seasons, concluding his college career in 2023-24.

Now, he's officially heading overseas after signing his first professional contract with Slovakia.

Watts will be headed to Slovakia to play for BK Iskra Svit which will be his first opportunity to play pro ball since leaving college. Maybe Greg Kampe and Izzo will take a little vacation overseas together to watch their former guard take on some professional competition.

You have to feel good for Watts who was always a great teammate and Spartan, and he was also a fan favorite. Michigan State fans were praying that he worked out in East Lansing, but the fit just wasn't there, and the breakup was cordial, and Rocket still speaks highly of MSU and Izzo.

The entire state of Michigan will be rooting for Watts to succeed.