As the Central Connecticut State University women’s basketball team continues its fight in the Northeast Conference standings, a star has bloomed. Samora Watson, a sophomore from League City, Texas, has been electric to watch. 

Watson, a guard for the team, is in her first season with the Blue Devils. She is averaging 18 points per game, which leads the team. She also averages 5.8 rebounds per game and 2.5 assists per game. 

So far this season, she has tallied three NEC Player of the Week awards. The most recent being earlier this month on Feb. 5, as she led the team to two big conference wins. The first, over Saint Francis, saw her finish with 22 points and 9 rebounds. The second, against Merrimack, she scored 37 points, one off her career high.

“It makes me feel good,” Watson said. “A year ago, I couldn’t say I was in a position like this.” 

Her previous two honors came in December. Her first was on Dec. 4, where she put up her career high of 38 points. Her second came a few weeks later, on December 26th, where she had 55 points and 21 rebounds over a two-game span. 

Last year, she attended East Carolina University but did not play in many games. After the season, she looked to reconnect with CCSU’s head coach, Way Veney, who recruited her to Temple.  

“When I saw Coach Way at Central, I saw it as another chance to play for her,” Watson said. 

She said she started playing basketball at 7 years old when a friend introduced her to the game. Now, she has become one of the most prolific scorers in the NEC. 

“It takes a lot of focus,” Watson said. “I love the pressure. If there was no pressure, I would be nothing.” 

While she has been recognized for her hard work, her drive doesn’t stop there. 

“I’m trying to keep the title of top scorer,” she said. “I want to be successful. Both in every game and going pro.” 

Watson dedicates a lot of her success to her mother.  

“She is a role model for everything,” Watson said. “She never lets me slack, even when I want to.”