Jamir Watkins: A Look at Florida State’s Underrated Weapon from 2023

Watkins was a big time player for Florida State all season. He made a lot of his production felt on the offensive end and that helped the Seminoles end up top five in the ACC in points per game scoring 76.5 in each contest. Watkins himself averaged 15.6 per game and he shot at a 45.7% rate. This was a big jump from his two seasons at VCU where he averaged in single figures for points per game.

If you take a look at Watkins during each game he played this season, you can see just how big his scoring output was. From December 22nd through the end of Florida State’s season, he scored in double figures in every game he had except one which was an 8-point performance in a close win over Virginia Tech.

But, Watkins would have another shot against the Hokies in the ACC tournament when he would really show the college hoops world what he was about. On 9-15 shooting with two three pointers added on, he would score 34 points en route to a Florida State win that would set them up for a game against North Carolina in the ACC quarterfinal. The major key to Watkins’ scoring output that game was the 17 free throw attempts he had against Virginia Tech and this ability to force the Hokies to foul him was what stood out in the postseason win.

Watkins spoke about how himself and the rest of the Seminole team were able to explode against Virginia Tech in a postgame press conference.

“We were able to open their [Virginia Tech] gaps up. From there, we got downhill early and often and we were able to score.”

Another big part of Watkins’ game is his great rebounding and stealing ability. He led the Seminoles in both categories. On top of that, he was top five in the ACC in steals per game along with other great defensive guards like Syracuse’s Judah Mintz and Notre Dame’s Markus Burton.

In the big 34-point game he had against Virginia Tech, he added four steals and 11 rebounds to his statline showing off the other facets of his game that may make him appealing to scouts at the next level. The reach he has on his 6-foot-7-inch frame is something that is helpful with getting boards and getting steals while playing good defense as well.

The rebounding and steals were also vastly improved in Tallahassee from his first two seasons playing with the VCU Rams.

Watkins flew under the radar this season due to Florida State’s average season as a team and program. But make no mistake, after declaring for the NBA draft, Watkins is a big time threat. He was for Noles and he could continue to be as he has eligibility left if he feels the draft waters are not where he wants to be yet.

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