Florida State University Athletics
Monday, November 20
Daytona Beach, Fla.
5:30 p.m.
Florida State
vs
UNLV
Watkins, Seminoles Face UNLV In Sunshine Slam In Daytona Beach
11/19/2023 11:25:00 AM | Men's Basketball
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Jamir Watkins has wasted no time in showcasing his all-around ability as a Seminole.
He helped the Seminoles to victories in two of their first three games of the season, scoring in double figures against both Central Michigan and Florida in his first career game against the Gators. Watkins is one of three Seminoles averaging more than 22 minutes of playing time per game, is tied for the team lead in rebounds, and is second on the team in assists.
Watkins has also become a star on the Seminoles' early-season highlight reel.
Watkins leads Florida State against UNLV in the semifinals of the Sunshine Slam on Monday at 5:30 p.m. at the Ocean Center. The game will be televised on the CBS Sports Network. The Seminoles face either Richmond or Colorado on Tuesday in the final round of the tournament.
For some, basketball is a sport, but for Watkins, basketball has always been a constant in his life. The game has never been just a game for Watkins. The sport is an integral piece of his persona. It's an extension of who is as a person.
Long before the countless hours in the gym spent honing his craft and growing up under the bright lights of one of the most talent-rich states in the country, Watkins was born with a basketball in his hands.
"I learned how to walk playing basketball," Watkins said. "I would chase after a basketball and that's how my love for the game began. My dad kept the ball in my hands. I would watch him go to the park and play hoping that would be me someday. My father influenced me to be the person I am today."
He grew up in Trenton, New Jersey and attended Trenton Catholic Academy where he began to make a name for himself. He finished his senior season averaging nearly 25 points per game with seven double-doubles and was named as the Mercer County MVP. Besides leading his school to three straight county championships, he garnered offers from several Division I programs before committing to VCU.
As a freshman, he performed brilliantly as he earned an Atlantic-10 Rookie of the Week honor and finished third on the team in scoring. One of his highlights of his first season was his first collegiate double-double against Davidson.
He redshirted the 2021-22 season following an injury but returned as a leading member of the Rams' squad that played in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. It was the first time VCU played in the NCAA Tournament since 2019.
His versatility and commitment to contribute across multiple areas of the game is one of his most valuable assets.
Following the 2023 season and a coaching change at VCU, Watkins entered the transfer portal. On April 15 he announced his commitment to Florida State and Head Coach Leonard Hamilton.
Watkins broke out in only his second game as a Seminole with a team-high 19 points in Florida State's victory over Central Michigan in the first round of the Sunshine Slam. Against the Chippewas, he pulled down a game-high tying six rebounds, added a career-best four steals, and made two 3-point shots.
"Coach Ham allows all of us to show our abilities and show our versatility," Watkins said. "He allows us to play our offense and gets on us about really playing hard on defense."
The 6'7" forward has nothing but praise for his new coach.
"Coach Hamilton is a really genuine person," Watkins said. "He allows everybody to be themselves, wants the best for you and shows us that every day. He shows you that you are important to this team. The love he shows to us players and coaches is awesome."
Hamilton knows Watkins is well on his way to becoming a standout player at Florida State while playing against the incredibly tough competition in the ACC.
"Jamir is really talented offensively," said Hamilton of Watkins, who enters Monday's game against UNLV ranked third on the team in scoring with an 11.3 points per game scoring average.
"Jamir is going to help us because he is an athletic wing, can shoot the basketball and wants to play defense," Hamilton said when Watkins became a Seminole in April. "He averages more than one steal a game for his career and blocked 23 shots this past season."
Watkins will look to elevate his game further as the multifaceted forward surfs on with the Seminoles in Daytona Beach in the Sunshine Slam.
He helped the Seminoles to victories in two of their first three games of the season, scoring in double figures against both Central Michigan and Florida in his first career game against the Gators. Watkins is one of three Seminoles averaging more than 22 minutes of playing time per game, is tied for the team lead in rebounds, and is second on the team in assists.
Watkins has also become a star on the Seminoles' early-season highlight reel.
Watkins leads Florida State against UNLV in the semifinals of the Sunshine Slam on Monday at 5:30 p.m. at the Ocean Center. The game will be televised on the CBS Sports Network. The Seminoles face either Richmond or Colorado on Tuesday in the final round of the tournament.
For some, basketball is a sport, but for Watkins, basketball has always been a constant in his life. The game has never been just a game for Watkins. The sport is an integral piece of his persona. It's an extension of who is as a person.
Long before the countless hours in the gym spent honing his craft and growing up under the bright lights of one of the most talent-rich states in the country, Watkins was born with a basketball in his hands.
"I learned how to walk playing basketball," Watkins said. "I would chase after a basketball and that's how my love for the game began. My dad kept the ball in my hands. I would watch him go to the park and play hoping that would be me someday. My father influenced me to be the person I am today."
He grew up in Trenton, New Jersey and attended Trenton Catholic Academy where he began to make a name for himself. He finished his senior season averaging nearly 25 points per game with seven double-doubles and was named as the Mercer County MVP. Besides leading his school to three straight county championships, he garnered offers from several Division I programs before committing to VCU.
As a freshman, he performed brilliantly as he earned an Atlantic-10 Rookie of the Week honor and finished third on the team in scoring. One of his highlights of his first season was his first collegiate double-double against Davidson.
He redshirted the 2021-22 season following an injury but returned as a leading member of the Rams' squad that played in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. It was the first time VCU played in the NCAA Tournament since 2019.
His versatility and commitment to contribute across multiple areas of the game is one of his most valuable assets.
Following the 2023 season and a coaching change at VCU, Watkins entered the transfer portal. On April 15 he announced his commitment to Florida State and Head Coach Leonard Hamilton.
Watkins broke out in only his second game as a Seminole with a team-high 19 points in Florida State's victory over Central Michigan in the first round of the Sunshine Slam. Against the Chippewas, he pulled down a game-high tying six rebounds, added a career-best four steals, and made two 3-point shots.
"Coach Ham allows all of us to show our abilities and show our versatility," Watkins said. "He allows us to play our offense and gets on us about really playing hard on defense."
The 6'7" forward has nothing but praise for his new coach.
"Coach Hamilton is a really genuine person," Watkins said. "He allows everybody to be themselves, wants the best for you and shows us that every day. He shows you that you are important to this team. The love he shows to us players and coaches is awesome."
Hamilton knows Watkins is well on his way to becoming a standout player at Florida State while playing against the incredibly tough competition in the ACC.
"Jamir is really talented offensively," said Hamilton of Watkins, who enters Monday's game against UNLV ranked third on the team in scoring with an 11.3 points per game scoring average.
"Jamir is going to help us because he is an athletic wing, can shoot the basketball and wants to play defense," Hamilton said when Watkins became a Seminole in April. "He averages more than one steal a game for his career and blocked 23 shots this past season."
Watkins will look to elevate his game further as the multifaceted forward surfs on with the Seminoles in Daytona Beach in the Sunshine Slam.
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Men's BasketballBehind the Mic | FSU Football with Jeff Culhane | Pitt
Friday, October 10
FSU Football | Game Day Live Pregame Show: Pitt
Friday, October 10
2026 Schedule Reveal | Florida State Baseball
Wednesday, October 08
DL Darrell Jackson Jr.: “Impose my will”
Wednesday, October 08