Lonzo thinks ex-Suns HC Watson would be 'good fit' for UCLA

If Lonzo Ball had his druthers, longtime NBA player and former Phoenix Suns head coach Earl Watson would be named the next bench boss at his alma mater, UCLA.

"I know Earl personally," the Los Angeles Lakers guard said Wednesday morning, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "I think he has coaching experience in the league. Obviously, he went there, he's alumni, so I think he's a good fit."

UCLA fired Steve Alford on Monday in the midst of the Bruins' 7-6 start to the year. In parts of six seasons with the program, the veteran college coach compiled a 124-63 record with four trips to the NCAA tournament.

Before Watson embarked on a successful pro career between 2001-14, the former point guard starred for the Bruins from 1997-01, averaging 11.2 points, 4.7 assists, and 3.8 rebounds across four collegiate seasons.

Watson served as Suns head coach for parts of three seasons from February 2016 to October 2017, accruing a 33-85 coaching record before his dismissal three games into the 2017-18 campaign.