Watlington named NJCAA All-American
Honors continue to roll in for freshman guard from Menchville.
Jordan Watlington, a freshman guard at Virginia Peninsula Community College, was named an honorable mention selection by the NJCAA Division III All-America men's basketball committee.
Watlington, from Menchville High School in Newport News, averaged 13.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists. He shot 59.1% from the field and 74.4% from the line. He scored in double figures 19 times and had a season-high 26 points against Tidewater Community College.
The award is extra special to Watlington, 6-foot-3 and 198 pounds, because he missed half his senior year in high school due to an injury.
"I came a long way," he said. "It really means a lot. Thanks to my coaching staff and my teammates."
In high school, he earned first-team all-district and all-region honors.
"I thought Jordan had a great year," said Chris Moore, the men's basketball coach and VPCC's athletics director. "I think the No.1 thing all year is that he wasn't buying into stats. He was buying into just wanting to win. That mentality led to him getting the accolades, being (Region 10) player of the year, first-team all-league and being an NJCAA All-American."
Watlington helped the Gators to a 22-7 overall record. They were Region 10 regular-season and tournament champions, runners-up in the Division III Mid-Atlantic District 10 tournament and ranked 11th in the country in the final regular-season poll.
He said he was most proud of the way his teammates battled throughout the season.
"It didn't turn out like I wanted it to, but we had a great season," he said. "We fought the whole way."
Watlington is studying cybersecurity and expects to return to the Gators for his sophomore season.
Moore has known Watlington since he was 12 or 13. Moore said Watlington works hard, and the award is a testament to who he is.
"What makes me most proud is he did this being a hometown kid and got his honor right here in his back yard," Moore said. "It's well-deserved."
It's the second consecutive season the Gators have had an NJCAA All-American. Last year, Sincere Moore (Matoaca High School) was a Region 10 honorable mention All-American.
For more in VPCC, visit www.vpcc.edu.