Brent Duncan Watson

Brent Duncan Watson, 82, of Richmond, BC passed away unexpectedly on February 25, 2026. He was an incredible husband, father, grandfather, friend, and magician who loved hard and cared deeply for the people in his life.

Born July 6, 1943 in Vancouver, BC to George and Gladys Watson, Brent grew up the second eldest of four children (Robert, Wendy, Rod) in the Kerrisdale neighbourhood. Brent was an incredibly talented multi-sport athlete his whole life, but where he really excelled was on the basketball court. At Magee Secondary School, Brent would cement his legacy as one of the best basketball players to ever come out of British Columbia. He led the Magee Blackshirts to three BC High School Boys Provincial Championships, winning the title once and named Provincial MVP twice (1960 & 1961). Brent was one of three players to ever be named back-to-back MVPs in the tournament’s 80-year history.

Brent’s athletic prowess in high school drew attention down south and he accepted a full scholarship to play for the NCAA Division I Washington State University Cougars, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. He suited up for the Pac-8 squad, playing under legendary coach Marv Harshman, from 1961-1965. Post college, Brent won two Canadian National Basketball Championships, one with the Vancouver IGA Grocers (1967-68) and one with the Vancouver Villas (1970-71). He was named MVP of the tournament on both Championship teams. He represented Canada on several occasions, including the World Masters Games in Portland (1998), Edmonton (2005), and Sydney (2009).

Brent was inducted into the Basketball BC Hall of Fame first in 2011 as an athlete and again in 2017 as a member of the 1967-68 Vancouver IGA Grocers. The Vancouver Sun named him the BC High School ‘Player of the Decade’ (1960s) in 2008, and in 2020 The Vancouver Province named him one of the 25 ‘Greatest BC High School Basketball Players of All-Time’.

Though basketball remained constant through his life, Brent’s true passion was people - a passion that was displayed in many ways. An engaging amateur magician his whole life - a talent he learned from his father - ‘The Great Brentini’ was known throughout the years to perform at family gatherings, birthdays, and annual celebrations. Later in life, it was Kyle and Breanne’s friends who would consistently request his performances when visiting the Watson household. During his 30 year teaching career at Matthew McNair Secondary, he thrived teaching senior level courses: business education, accounting, law, marketing, and economics. Brent was recognized by the Richmond Secondary School Athletic Association for his 25 years of service coaching senior boys basketball, girls softball, golf, and tennis. He loved his work, often talking enthusiastically about his talented athletes and students, many of whom went on to become successful entrepreneurs, operate multi-million dollar businesses, and perform on a national stage. Countless former students kept in touch with Brent, calling him to share about their families, chat business, celebrate success or just to take him out for coffee or dinner. He was the type of teacher all students deserve, one that cared deeply about impacting young lives - a trait he held until the day he passed.

Outside of work, Brent adored his wife, Sharman. Married August 25, 1984 in Abbotsford, BC, Brent would never forget a birthday, anniversary or special holiday during their 41 years of marriage and 46 together. Brent was known to randomly buy her flowers, surprise her with a sweet treat or have a glass of wine ready when she got home. He never failed in displaying and telling Sharman how much she meant to him. In their later years, they loved riding bikes together, going for dinner at Steveston Seafood House and spending time at Brent’s favorite place, his son’s cabin on Hatzic Lake.

Despite an impressive basketball career, Brent’s proudest accomplishment was his two children. From the time they could walk, Breanne and Kyle could be found dribbling courtside at his men’s league basketball games, ultimately evolving to ultra-competitive nightly games of H-O-R-S-E in the family driveway. Despite each having incredibly successful basketball careers of their own, Brent would often reign victorious over Breanne and Kyle. The competitiveness and passion that was laid out on the driveway shaped Breanne and Kyle’s athletic and business careers. Brent was the the most supportive father and fan of his children, being sure to share their accomplishments to anyone who would listen. He loved them deeply and wanted the world to know how proud he was of them.

Brent leaves behind his adoring wife Sharman, daughter Breanne (Sarah), son Kyle (Emma) and greatest joys, his grandchildren Duke, Tenley, and Walker. ‘Nampa’ will be remembered for his magic, ghost stories, silly costumes, and the special time he and the grandchildren spent sorting bottles together at the depot.

Brent’s humor, thoughtfulness, kindness, and generosity will live on in the stories his loved ones will share, and the people that his children and grandchildren will continue to grow into. He was always sure to tell people how great of a job they were doing, or how proud he was of them. His genuineness was his superpower.

To celebrate Brent’s life and his passion for paying it forward, donations to the Brent Watson Memorial Scholarship via Basketball BC can be made here: http://support.bcamateursportfund.org/BWatson or click the link below.

All donations will receive a tax receipt and support one female and one male graduating high school athlete annually from British Columbia in continuing their post-secondary basketball careers.

A celebration of life for Brent will be held Sunday, March 15, 2026 at Quilchena Golf & Country Club from 1:00pm-4:00pm.

If interested in receiving further information, please email Breanne at: [email protected]