Jamir Watkins talks relationship with Leonard Hamilton, win over SMU
Jamir Watkins talks relationship with Leonard Hamilton, win over SMU
Jamir Watkins will be part of a young Washington Wizards teamJamir Watkins will bring a defensive presence and versatility for the the Wzards.Where does Jamir Watkins go from here after the NBA Draft?
Jamir Watkins will be taking his talents to the nation’s capital.
After two years at Florida State basketball, Watkins was drafted by the Washington Wizards via the Utah Jazz with the 43rd overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft on Thursday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
After a decorated four-year career – the last two years at FSU – the 23-year-old New Jersey native will be part of a young Wizards team that is coming off an 18-64 season.
“I would say he’s as mature and as competitive as a player we’ve had come through the building,” Wizards general manager Will Dawkins said after drafting Watkins on June 26.
“He had a pretty rare combination for us of physicality on both ends …. He’s got size. He’s got length. He’s got versatility. He competes. Sitting down in my office talking to him, he’s a serious person.”
Watkins said he worked out with the Wizards during the pre-draft process. He is thrilled to be part of a rebuilding team under Wizards coach Brian Keefe, who just completed his first season.
“I worked out for the Wizards last month,” said Watkins after his selection. “I really like how they have a young team with a coach in his second year. I feel that I will fit in well with them because they love my defense and how hard I play.”
He would also have some familiarity with the DMV area; Watkins played at Virginia Commonwealth for the first two years of his college career.
Former FSU coach Leonard Hamilton spent a season as Washington’s head coach (2000-01) before returning to the college ranks.
Jamir Watkins brings defensive presence and versatility
There is no question that Watkins looks the part. At the NBA draft combine, he measured at 6-foot-5, 215 pounds with a 6-11 wingspan.
His size and athleticism have been appealing to NBA scouts over the last two years. Watkins is also versatile. While at FSU, he was the primary ballhandler, but he can also play two-guard or wing.
No matter what position he plays for the Washington, Watkins will be utilized the most on the defensive end. Watkins was one of the top defensive players in the ACC. He averaged 1.6 steals and 0.6 blocks in his last two seasons at FSU.
“He’s an electrifying defender. We saw him in Chicago at the (NBA draft) combine and he had five steals in the first half,” ESPN’s NBA analyst Bobby Marks said.
“He’s a long athletic wing; he can defend. He’s going to a Washington team that needs some athleticism, and he will certainly add that to that team.”
Jamir Watkins can attack the basket and draw fouls
Watkins may not be the best shooter on the court, but he finds ways to put points on the board. The New Jersey native is an aggressive scorer who drives through the lane and attacks the basket.
He can also draw fouls and put himself at the free-throw line. Last season, Watkins made 183 of his 245 free throws, leading the ACC in free throws made and attempts while averaging 18.4 points a game and shooting 42.7% from the field.
He is ranked ninth in program history with 346 career free throws made (5.3 per game) and tied for 12th in school history with 450 free throws attempted (6.9 per game).
What’s next for Jamir Watkins
Now that Watkins is officially an NBA player, he will have a little time to soak it all in.
Next up for the now-rookie is the NBA Summer League, where he will have the opportunity to showcase himself against other rookies and second-year players.
The summer league is scheduled for July 10-20 at the Thomas & Mack Center and Pavilion at UNLV.
Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.