Watson inks new deal with Bulls-by Dave Ford

C.J. Watson has come a long way since dishing out his last assist for Tennessee back in 2006.

On July 20, the 6-foot-2 guard was acquired by the Chicago Bulls in a sign-and-trade deal with Golden State, something Watson said happened really fast.

"It's been kind of a whirlwind," he said. "Especially since everybody found out. I got a lot of phone calls and a lot of things from friends and family. It's been a great time and everyone's excited for me, and I'm excited to get out there."

The deal is expected to be for two years worth about $6.5 million, and a non-guaranteed third year.

"I'm still high off the excitement," added Watson. "I found out right before I got on the plane (July 19), so I had the whole plane ride to think about it and know that I'm going to Chicago, so it's a fun and exciting time for me right now."

After leaving the program having played an integral role for the Vols during Bruce Pearl's first season at the helm, Watson found out just how quickly things can change with hard work and dedication.

In 2007, he played in both Greece and Italy before coming back to States to play in the NBA Development League. As the starting point guard for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Watson averaged 26.4 points, 5.3 assists and 5.3 rebounds in just 16 games.

He was then called up to the Warriors and made an immediate impact on the team, shooting 40 percent behind the arc.

Last year in his second season with the Warriors, Watson averaged a career-best 10.3 points, 2.8 assists and shot 47 percent from the field.

"I have a pretty much all-around game," said Watson. "I can shoot, pass, play defense, score. I just try to go out there and do the best for my team and bring the energy off the bench. Just try to be there every night and win games."

Although he's taking care of his business on the court, Watson still has some unfinished business he's taking care of toward his education. The man he gives credit to for pushing his game to the next level sounded like a proud parent after getting word of Watson's new contract.

"We are so proud of C.J.," said Pearl. "He's a great role model. This summer he was here in Knoxville working toward his degree, knowing full well he was getting ready to sign a big contract. That speaks volumes about his character and his commitment to finish something he started."

Watson will back up former University of Memphis star and rising NBA talent Derrick Rose, the leader of a Bulls team that appears poised to make a strong run at the Eastern Conference title after recently acquiring Carlos Boozer, Ronnie Brewer and Kyle Korver during the 2010 offseason.

After leaving the Warriors, a franchise with just one championship to its name and heading to Chicago, the place where "His Airness" brought six titles to in eight years, Watson said the next phase of his career will be special.

"Everyone's told me great things about Chicago, the city," he said. "Especially since it's the place where (Michael) Jordan played and going in there with so much tradition and history it's going to be fun to go out there and play every night and play in front of those fans."

Watson has indeed made great strides from the industrial city of Knoxville to the bright lights and big city of Chicago. But at 26, he appears to be far from the end of his NBA road.