FSU basketball: Jamir Watkins will return to Noles next season reaction

FSU basketball has not had much good news since the season ended in the ACC Tournament earlier this year. Most of the players from the team entered the transfer portal, including its best player, Jamir Watkins. Watkins entered the portal while declaring for the NBA Draft. However, he reconsidered his decision to enter the draft but remained in the transfer portal. Watkins flirted with teams like Oregon, Kansas St, Cinncinati, St. Johns, and Michigan, but ultimately, will return to FSU for his final season. Watkins led the Noles with 15.6 ppg and averaged six rebounds and 2.8 assists. He shot 45.7 percent from the floor and 34.4 percent from three-point land. He was excellent at the free-throw line shooting 79.5 percent. Watkins was an honorable mention All-ACC player last year.

This is excellent news for FSU fans. Watkins is a proven player who can impact both sides of the floor. The Nole have some high school talent joining the program and have Chandler Jackson and Taylor Bol returning. Watkin's return could help Leonard Hamilton attract a player or two from the portal in what will likely be Hamilton's final season at FSU. FSU basketball fans don't have many expectations based on the past few seasons. The Noles have declined since the 2019-20 COVID season when they were among the favorites to win the NCAA National Title. The hope is that FSU basketball can return to respectability in Hamilton's final year. They improved over the last two seasons and Watkins was a big part. FSU only won nine games in 2022-23 but improved to 17 wins in 2023-24. The Noles were 10-10 in the ACC and gave tough games to ACC teams like North Carolina. It'll be interesting to see if Hamilton can get more talent to join Watkins in Tallahassee.