Indiana University graduate Christian Watford has been traded by the Fort Wayne Mad Ants. The Pacers’ D-League affiliate sent Watford, plus their 2017 third-round pick, to Raptors 905 in exchange for forward Jarrod Uthoff.
Just over a year ago, on January 4, 2016, the Mad Ants acquired the rights to Watford in a deal with Reno.
Appearing in 20 games this season with Fort Wayne, Watford, 25, has averaged 5.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game. Playing just over 16 minutes per game, he averaged just over one 3-pointer per game on 35.8 percent shooting.
Being dealt to Raptors 905 reunites Watford with former IU teammate Will Sheehey, who has contributed 10.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. He has started in 15 of 26 games for the Ontario-based team. While in Fort Wayne, Watford played alongside another fellow Hoosier Nick Zeisloft.
[Watford’s buzzer-beater lifts Indiana past No. 1 Kentucky]
You're only as good as your coach thinks you are…
— Christian Watford (@Cwat205) January 24, 2017
Uthoff, meanwhile, was not drafted in the 2016 NBA Draft. The rookie forward out of the University of Iowa played in 24 of the 26 Raptors 905’s games this season, averaging 7.8 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. He has connected on 84.6 percent of his foul shots.
The deal will become official once both players pass physicals.
— Christian Watford (@Cwat205) January 28, 2017