Jamir Watkins will keep his name in the 2025 NBA draft, he tells Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports (Twitter link).
Watkins, who played two seasons for VCU and two for Florida State, had one year of college eligibility remaining and had entered the transfer portal this spring, but will go pro rather than returning to school for another season.
A 6’7″ forward, Watkins averaged 18.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.2 steals in 30.9 minutes per game across 32 outings (all starts) for the Seminoles in 2024/25. He posted a shooting line of .427/.321/.747 and was named to the All-ACC second team.
Watkins began his college career in 2020/21, which didn’t count toward his four years of eligibility because the season was shortened due to COVID-19. He was then sidelined for all of ’21/22 due to a knee injury, earning him a redshirt year. As a result of his extended college career, he’ll turn 24 this July, which will limit his appeal to NBA teams looking for a young player with untapped upside.
Still, Watkins’ experience at the college level puts him in position to potentially emerge as an immediate contributor at the next level. He was ranked as the No. 65 overall prospect on ESPN’s latest big board, and a few prospects ahead of him on that list have since withdrawn their names from the draft.
As we outlined earlier today, NCAA early entrants who want to maintain their college eligibility will have to withdraw from the draft by the end of the day on Wednesday.
I have him slated to go 35-40. He needs to improve his mid range jumper and his post defense is terrible. The upside is he is a glue guy. No real ability upside, but at least he can play that Udonis Haslem role.
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A ready now prospect. A couple teams like NOP and some others don’t need young players but guys like this