We’re proud to be a part of an ongoing partnership with Dick’s Sporting Goods, which is sponsoring our Player of the Week award. We’ll be releasing a featured vballrecruiter.com Player of the Week, sponsored by Dick’s Sporting Goods, on Tuesdays. Below is this week’s Player of the Week: Ayanna Watson.

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Being 5-10 in fifth grade and her father being a former NBA player, it makes sense Ayanna Watson would grow up having played basketball. Though she tried just about everything from dance, to gymnastics, to soccer, “the sport I played the most was basketball,” she said.

However, her mom wanted her to try a new sport and that’s what led her to volleyball. Watson continued playing both sports until age 13. Now a 6-4, 5-star recruit and a sophomore at Bishop Gorman in Nevada, volleyball is her main focus.

“I really like the fact that I get to do everything,” Watson said. “In basketball, I really only did one thing. I was a center because I’m tall and I stood by the basket and didn’t do much else. In volleyball, I get to hit, pass, block and set out of system. I pretty much get to do everything.”

Watson began garnering attention as an eighth-grader playing up an age group on Vegas Aces 15 UA two years ago. She’s becoming more and more recognizable on the national stage with both the success enjoyed by Vegas Aces this past season as well as Bishop Gorman’s travel during the high school season.

Watson – again playing up an age group – helped Vegas Aces 16 UA earn an Open bid to the USAV GJNC in Chicago this past summer, as the team qualified at the Salt Lake City Showdown qualifier in April. This coming club season, she’ll stay with her own age group and be part of the 16s once more for Vegas Aces.

“I’m looking forward to building with my team and getting to know all of them and being able to play at a high level like we did last year,” Watson said.

As for high school, Bishop Gorman has shown it’s not afraid to participate in the most competitive tournaments the country has to offer. As a freshman, Watson was part of a squad that traveled to both Nike TOC events in Tampa and Phoenix, as well as playing in the local Durango Fall Classic, long considered the gold standard of high school volleyball tournaments. She ended her rookie campaign second on the team in kills with 317, averaging 3.4 per set, as the Gaels reached the semifinals of the 5A state playoffs.

Once more this season, Bishop Gorman has stacked its schedule in hopes of finishing the season on top when the state playoffs roll around. The team again traveled to Tampa for the Nike TOC and participated in the Durango Fall Classic – taking 17th place – and visited Southern California recently for the Redondo Power Classic, where the Gaels finished third after falling to national No. 2 Mira Costa CA in the semis. Watson entered the week leading the team in kills with 427, averaging 5.2 per set. She’s also second in both blocks and aces, and third in digs.

“We are doing pretty well,” she said. “We are staying on track and really want to win state. We have the talent. We have the right people. We are always there for each other. I love playing with this team.

“It’s a really big privilege to get to travel with the people you are closest with. It’s really a big family. The coaches and players talk on a personal level. No one gets offended when you give any feedback. There’s nothing negative about it.”

Watson shared she would eventually want to coach when she’s done playing. She’s aiming to sign at a top Division 1 program and possibly play professionally after that. In her free time Watson likes to go shopping with her mom and friends, as well as spend time hanging out with her friends and sisters.

“I just want to give all of the glory to God for blessing me with my athletic abilities and for allowing me to be able to display them,” Watson said. “Without Him, none of this would be possible and I thank Him for keeping me safe and protected. I am excited to see where His plan will take me in the future.”

As our featured Player of the Week sponsored by Dick’s Sporting Goods, we recently spoke with Watson about volleyball and more.

Who is a role model or someone you look up to?

Watson: For volleyball, I would say it’s a lot of successful pin hitters. Players who not only hit hard, but they are smart and really good at defense. Just all-around good players. Logan Eggleston is one. Outside of volleyball it is Kobe (Bryant) because of his work ethic, mentality and just his all-around competitiveness.

Would you rather explore space or the ocean and why?

Watson: This is kind of hard. I would say probably the ocean. I like being by the water. I would like learning about different animals, especially the ones people don’t already know about.

If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be and why?

Watson: I would go to dinner with my friends. I would go hang out with them and have a sleepover.

Other than volleyball, what skill would you most like to learn and why?

Watson: I want to learn how to play an instrument. I used to play violin in third grade because the school required it, so I picked that. I don’t know how to play it anymore, but instruments are fun and they help with other things. It would be a good experience.

Aside from necessities, what is one thing you could not go a day without?

Watson: I definitely can’t go a day without my phone or my headphones.

What is one thing that instantly makes your day better or makes you smile?

Watson: It’s being around my family and friends. Even if I get upset from something like a bad grade on a test, just being around the people I love makes me smile.

What’s your favorite way to have fun?

Watson: It’s going on vacation with my family. Also, the trips we take for high school and club as a team. Going to those tournaments, traveling and being around my teammates, that is a lot of fun.

Outside of volleyball what are you most passionate about and why?

Watson: It’s either helping other people or meeting new people. I really like meeting new people and I really like talking with new people.

What is one thing that may surprise people about you?

Watson: Maybe that my dad (C.J. Watson) played in the NBA. It’s not really personally about me. Or maybe that my mom is short. She’s like 5-4. People don’t know how I got as tall as I did.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?

Watson: I would want to live in Mexico. My family goes to Cabo San Lucas every few years for a family vacation. I love the atmosphere there, the food and the closeness of all of the people. I also really love the Spanish language and learning more about it, so what other place to be than Mexico.

Would you rather be stuck on a broken ski lift or in a broken elevator and why?

Watson: Definitely on a broken ski lift. You are more out in the open. An elevator? No. It’s too tight of a space for me.

What’s your favorite number and why?

Watson: My favorite number is 8. It’s my number for club. I love when you turn it, it is the infinity sign. I don’t know why it’s significant, I just like it.