Earl Watson epitomized the term “National Basketball Association Journeyman.” The retired shooting guard spent his decade-and-a-half career in the NBA with the Seattle SuperSonics, Memphis Grizzlies, Denver Nuggets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Indiana Pacers, Utah Jazz, and Portland Trail Blazers.
Earl did not wallow in the glory of his playing days when he announced his retirement following the 2013/14 NBA season. Choosing to remain involved in sports, he joined the Antonio Spurs squad in 2014 as an assistant coach.
Contract, Wealth, and Height
Earl, who is six feet (1.85 m) tall, had ambitions to become a coach long before he was recruited into the NBA in 2001. He was in awe of his then-coach John Wooden’s leadership abilities throughout his years at UCLA and desired to emulate them.
In 2016, the former Seattle SuperSonics’ perseverance paid off. He signed a three-year contract with the Phoenix Suns to become the team’s head coach in April of that year. Ryan McDonough, the Suns’ general manager at the time, even compared him to a young Doc Rivers.
Earl was fired as Sun’s head coach following a terrible 2016/17 campaign. Devastated by his dismissal, the former Memphis Grizzlies player turned to punditry to maintain his $16 million net worth. On the other hand, his girlfriend-turned-fiancee Joy Taylor is worth $1 million.
Girlfriend Engaged, Wife Prospect?
Joy is a radio and television personality based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Earl proposed to her in September 2018.
When the father of two children announced the news on Instagram, he and his girlfriend-turned-wife potential Joy received an outpouring of congratulations. Shannon Sharpie, Joy’s coworker, was the notable individual who wished the engaged couple the best of luck.
Earl and Joy were engaged for the second time in their quest to find “the one.”
Joy was previously married to Richard Giannotti for a year before falling for Earl. They married in 2016 and divorced a year later.
Earl was married to Jennifer Freeman of “My Wife and Kids” from 2009 to 2015. The couple has a daughter named Isabella together.
After a year of marriage, the former Phoenix Suns coach came close to divorcing Jennifer, accusing her of physical aggression. When the divorce was finalized in 2015, the couple began a verbal war.
Childhood Recollections – Family and Age
Earl Watson was born in Kansas City, Kansas in 1979. On 12 June 2019, he celebrated his 40th birthday. He embraced both his Mexican (maternal) and African-American (paternal) ancestors.
Earl grew up in poverty as his family battled to make ends meet. Earl Watson Sr. performed odd jobs and his mother Estella Watson worked as a bus driver.
Earl excelled at basketball despite his financial limitations. With aspirations of becoming a star in the NBA, he excelled at Washington High School and the University of California, Los Angeles.
The Watson family endured a family tragedy in 2014. Earl’s younger brother died in January of that year.
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