FSU Men's Basketball: Jamir Watkins Preparing For Spectacular Senior Season

The 2024-25 season is nearly underway in College Basketball. I have been counting down the days since last season came to an end. It’s a fresh start for the Florida State Men’s Basketball Team. After a great summer of regrouping and preparation, the team is ready to take on the challenges of the new season. 

Last season was a rollercoaster journey for Florida State. Despite the ups and downs, it was an improved season compared to the 2022-23 campaign. The Seminoles finished with a 17-16 record while going 10-10 in ACC play. They finished top five in offense in the ACC and at one point were one of the top contenders in the conference. Unfortunately, the team fell short in the ACC Tournament as they lost to North Carolina in the Quarterfinal. 

The biggest X-Factor last season was Jamir Watkins. Transferring from VCU, Watkins wanted to take on a new challenge for a Class A program. Playing for Florida State allowed him to be the focal point of the team. Watkins was the top option on the offensive end as he showed a combination of scoring and playmaking for his teammates. 

Watkins averaged 15 points per game along with six rebounds and two steals. As the season progressed, you could notice his growth as both an individual talent and as a leader. Watkins emerged as one of the best players in the ACC. He continued to gain notoriety as an elite prospect that could’ve been a steal in the 2024 NBA Draft. 

The Draft was in the plans for Watkins following the 2023-24 season. If you ask many experts, they believe he was ready to take his game to the next level. Luckily, Watkins decided to run it back another season with Florida State. Despite the ups and downs of last season, Watkins seemed to thoroughly enjoy his time in Tallahassee. He believed in the culture that Coach Leonard Hamilton was building and wanted to continue to play a role in rebuilding the program. 

The Seminoles are expected to improve compared to last year. They acquired a few high school recruits and several players from the Transfer Portal to put this program in a great position. Watkins is ecstatic about playing on the floor with his new teammates. One thing that he discussed is how Florida State will be a better spacing team. Last season, they shot 31 percent from three, which was one of the lower percentages in the ACC. This season, they have a chance to improve with more spacing and better perimeter shooters. 

“I think we have better shooters than we had last year,” Watkins stated. “The spacing on the court is going to be way better.” Coach Hamilton has a system that’s all for versatility. The Seminoles are a team that wants to thrive off perimeter shooting and force defenses to step out of the paint to defend on the outside. This season will show a big difference for Florida State as far as their outside play. 

Alongside terrific shooters, the Seminoles have also upgraded their interior presence. One of the key transfers was Malique Ewin, who is fresh off a dominant season in the NJCAA. Many fans don’t know what to think of Ewin as of yet. There aren't many highlights on YouTube that can give people an idea of what he brings to the table for Florida State. However, as for Watkins, he has high expectations for the transfer to contribute at a high level. 

“Malique is better than what people expected of him,” Watkins stated. “He can play multiple positions on the court.” Ewin is expected to contribute in multiple ways. Sure, he has the size and physicality to play under the basket. However, he can do a multitude of things such as put the ball on the floor and take pressure off of his teammates.

As for Watkins, this season is big for him. It will be his official last ride as a Seminole and he wants to end his college career on the right note. Watkins’ expectations should be continuing to emerge as a standout talent in the ACC. He has the mentality to do so and continues to improve as an elite two-way talent. If you ask me, Watkins proved to be one of the best defenders in the conference. Yes, his averages of two steals show how great he is on the defensive end. However, it’s things that don’t show up in the stat sheet like applying ball pressure and protecting the rim that makes Watkins a great defender. 

The 2024-25 season will allow Jamir Watkins to continue to add to his Draft stock. There are a lot of prospects in his senior class who are projected to be first-round picks. Jamir Watkins is another player who is in that conversation. The last ride in his college career will be a grand one for Watkins as he continues to lead Florida State to more success.