Outsider Wattad feels at home

While Tennessee and former Tennessee men’s basketball players are grabbing headlines and highlights in the Pilot Rocky Top League, Omar Wattad plugs along unselfishly.

Wattad, a Georgetown signee from Johnson City’s Science Hill High School, said winning —not glory — is what it’s all about for him.

“Any team I play on, I try to win, and I try to guard and give effort on the defensive end,’’ said Wattad, a 6-foot-6 freshman wing. “It’s wrong to the game of basketball if you don’t give effort on the defensive end.’’

UT transfers Tyler Smith and J.P. Prince have paced the News Sentinel “Press’’ with 32- and 31-point scoring averages, while Wattad is scoring 12.3 points per game entering tonight’s 6 o’clock game against Kingston Alley.

“We yield to J.P. and Tyler because they’re our go-to guys, and I’m cool with that,’’ Wattad said. “My shots feel good, but I’m missing some threes I shouldn’t be missing.’’

That means more hard work for Wattad, who knows his work will be cut out for him at Georgetown.

“They’ll probably play me at the 3 and the 2, but freshman year, we’ll see what happens,’’ Wattad said. “Coach (John) Thompson is an honest guy. He’s blunt and straightforward. He says the best players are going to play.

“I think definitely, my second year, you’ll see me on the court.’’

For now, fans in East Tennessee can see Wattad on Monday and Wednesday nights at Bearden High School in the Rocky Top League.

“For me, personally, playing in this league is an extra benefit,’’ Wattad said. “I don’t have the luxury of being a UT player. Any time a UT player does anything, the crowd gets to oohing and ahhing.

“It’s just so much fun out there, and I’ve been blessed to be able to play with Tyler Smith,’’ Wattad said. “He is unbelievable. Everybody sees him out there, he can shoot dribble The coolest thing is he doesn’t have to give everyone the time of day, but he does. He’s such a cool dude.’’

Wattad said it was also fun trying to stop Chris Lofton, one of the toughest match-ups he’s run across.

“Omigosh, he’s unbelievable,’’ Wattad said. “I got a hand not in his face, but over his face — I knew he was going to shoot it.

“I think it’s his confidence. He goes out there, and he looks you in the eye, and he knows nobody can guard him.’’

Wattad entertained offers from Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, UNC-Wilmington and George Washington before signing with the Hoyas in April. He said he took an unofficial visit to UT, but was not offered a scholarship.

“But there’s no bad blood, I’m not mad at Tennessee,’’ Wattad said. “I think I’m at the right place at Georgetown.’’