About Watz Academy
Watz Academy is a boutique, performance-based basketball development program based in North County San Diego. We are not a recreational program. We are built for athletes who are serious about developing their game in a structured, competitive, and intentional environment. Every athlete who walks through our doors is here for a reason, and every session they attend is designed with that reason in mind. We keep our rosters small, our coaching direct, and our standards high because that is the only way real development happens.
Who We Are
- Boutique basketball development program in North County San Diego
- Operating out of Temecula and Carlsbad, CA
- Serving youth and high school athletes ages 10U through 15U
- Limited roster spots by design
- Every session led directly by Coach Devin Watson
Coach Watson
Our Mission
To develop serious athletes through structured, intentional coaching rooted in real competitive experience. We build skill, basketball IQ, confidence, and competitiveness in every athlete we work with.
What We Believe
- Development over recreation
- Structure and intention over volume
- Small groups over mass training
- Real coaching over generic instruction
- Every rep should have a purpose
What We Develop
- Ball handling and shot creation
- Finishing and scoring reads
- Footwork, pace, and efficiency
- Basketball IQ and decision-making
- Confidence, mindset, and competitiveness
Team Programs
Training Programs
Tryout
Who We Work With
- Youth athletes ages 10U through 15U for team programs
- Middle school and high school athletes for training programs
- High school athletes accepted by evaluation only
- Athletes based in North County San Diego and the surrounding areas
- Athletes with prior basketball experience and a drive to improve
Coach Watson
Our Coaches
Devin Watson
Head Coach
Founder and Head Coach of Watz Academy. Former Division I guard and professional player. Focused on fundamentals, discipline, confidence, and basketball IQ development.
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Johnny Fornbacher
Assistant Coach
Assistant coach at MiraCosta College with player development experience from youth to professional levels. High school varsity and collegiate playing experience (JC/NAIA).
Romelle Austin
Assistant Coach
3 years varsity high school coaching experience with additional collegiate playing background. Focused on fundamentals, discipline, confidence, and basketball IQ development.
Ciprian Oltean
Assistant Coach
Former Romanian Junior National Team player with 7+ years of AAU coaching experience. Head Coach of San Marcos Basketball Organization and Sage Creek HS assistant.
Built Different. On Purpose.
Here is what sets Watz Academy apart from every other program in the area.
- Direct coaching from a proven player. Every session is led by Coach Devin Watson. You are not handed off to an assistant. You are not coached by someone who only played recreationally. You get a former D1 guard and professional player in front of your athlete every time.
- Boutique by design. We cap our roster for a reason. Smaller groups mean more reps, more feedback, and more personalized development for every athlete.
- Structure and intention in everything. There are no filler drills and no wasted time. Every workout is built with a development goal in mind, drawn from the discipline Devin experienced as a collegiate and professional athlete.
- A program that prepares athletes for the next level. Whether that next level is making a school team, earning a spot on an AAU roster, or eventually competing in college, the work done at Watz Academy is designed to get athletes there.
What Our Athletes Work On
Every training session at Watz Academy is built around the skills that matter at the next level.
- Ball handling and shot creation
- Finishing and scoring reads
- Footwork, pace, and efficiency
- Basketball IQ and decision-making
- Confidence, mindset, and competitiveness
This is the work. And it starts on day one.
