Looking at Jamir Watkins in Summer League performance for the Washington Wizards

Jamir Watkins wearing a red Washington Wizards uniform was an indication that his time at Florida State is officially over. Watkins became a Seminole in 2023 and delivered two magical seasons in Garnet and Gold. Luckily, Watkins became yet another Leonard Hamilton product who was drafted and widely respected by his peers across the NBA. 

Before we dive into the Summer League action, let’s backtrack. Seminole fans rejoiced as they heard Watkins’ name in the 2025 NBA Draft. The Washington Wizards took a chance on the wing talent as they selected him with their 43rd pick. There were a lot of head scratches when it came to Watkins dropping low in the draft. Certainly, he had the talent to be a first-round pick. However, it worked out for him to be selected by the Wizards as he begins his new chapter in Washington, DC. 

Many thoughts run through my head now that Watkins is a Washington Wizard. I think about how the rookie is now closer to home, as he is a New Jersey native. I also think about the collection of great guards and wings who have once played in a Wizards uniform. From players like Gilbert Arenas, Richard Hamilton, John Wall, and several others, Watkins has a chance to place his name next to the greats who have made their mark in the Nation’s Capital. 

The beginning of Jamir Watkins’ professional career was an experience. The Wizards’ Summer League roster was filled with great guard talents like Tre Johnson, AJ Johnson, Bub Carrington, and others. With the guard/wing position being so talented, the question is how could everyone produce at the same time?

In the wise words of Ace from the movie Paid in Full, “everybody eats,”. There may be one basketball on the court. However, there are different ways that everyone on the Wizards can produce. What makes Watkins a great player is how impactful he is on both ends of the floor. While he can be explosive offensively, he’s also a dynamic force on defense, creating stops in multiple ways. 

Throughout the Summer League, Watkins had to show his versatility. In some games, he wasn’t looked upon to score the basketball. Therefore, he made the game easier for his teammates by setting the table offensively. That formula led to success for the Wizards. Their great ball movement disrupted the opposing team’s half-court defenses, which led to quality shots. 

Watkins also continued to be a force defensively. There aren’t many guards in the NBA who can become a force, both guarding the perimeter and the paint. Watkins was able to display all of that. What stood out was how he continued to pick passing lanes and force turnovers. Watkins had great timing and hustle to create turnovers which led to finishes on the other end. 

Watkins had several great performances for the Wizards during the Summer League. He averaged 11 points per game while scoring a high of 23 points in one of the contests. However, the game that stands out is Watkins setting a Summer League record of eight steals against the Philadelphia 76ers. This was another contest where the Wizards needed him to impact the game in other ways. Watkins’ activity on defense led to stops in transition and forced turnovers. The contest proved that he stood out as the best defensive player in Las Vegas. 

Overall, the Summer League wasn’t in the Wizards’ favor. While they were able to clinch a few wins, there wasn’t consistency within the team. However, no need to put their head down. The Wizards’ young players showed promise in what they can become in the future. Every player showed their value and found a way to compete on a nightly basis. 

Watkins’ performances in the Summer League prove that he can compete in the NBA. He has the mentality plus the skill set to land consistent minutes in the rotation. Moving forward, Watkins will be one of the young pieces that can help the Wizards continue their rebuild as a franchise.