The NBA season is over, and the offseason has started.
With the NBA finals still fresh in our minds, the 2025 NBA Draft begins at 8 p.m. June 25 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Some will say the draft begins after the No. 1 pick, which is expected to be Duke’s superstar Cooper Flagg to the Dallas Mavericks.
For Florida State men’s basketball star Jamir Watkins, he will probably have to wait until his name is called.
After a decorated two-year career at FSU, Watkins could be the first Seminole to be drafted since 2021, where players like Scottie Barnes of the Toronto Raptors, Balša Koprivica and RaiQuan Gray were part of that class.
The two-time All-ACC performer is projected to go in the second round.
Jamir Watkins FSU basketball career
Watkins made an immediate impact at FSU after he transferred from VCU in 2023. He led the Seminoles in scoring in back-to-back years and received All-ACC honors.
In all 65 games played, he finished his career averaging 17 points per game (1,104 total points), which is ranked No. 14 in school history. He also finished ninth with 346 free throws made (5.3 FTM/game) and tied for 12th with 450 free throws attempted (6.9 FTA/game).
Already on the NBA radar, he participated in the NBA scouting combine while weighing his options before deciding to return to FSU to play for Leonard Hamilton’s final year.
Last season, Watkins averaged a career-best 18.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1,2 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game. He shot 42. 7 percent from the field and 32.1 percent from behind the arc.
Where Jamir Watkins is projected in 2025 NBA Draft
ESPN has Watkins being selected No. 36 overall by the Brooklyn Nets. NBA Tankathon has the senior going to the Memphis Grizzlies at No. 48 overall.
Yahoo Sports projects him to be selected by the Washington Wizards, and NBA Draft.net has the Orlando Magic picking him at No. 57.
What is said about Jamir Watkins’ potential
Watkins is viewed as an all-around player who is versatile and well-known for his defense. NBA.com posted a profile report on the Trenton, New Jersey native via Rotowire.com, giving an evaluative outlook on what he brings to the league.
Watkins’ defense is the easiest part of his game to project. NBA teams are always looking for a mid-sized wing who can defend multiple positions and disrupt opposing offenses. What he looks like on offense may depend on whether his 3-ball and finishing translate at a high level, and how much a team is willing to put the ball in his hands and let him run the show. Watkins shows similarities to players like Deni Avdija, Caris LeVert and Gordon Hayward.
Peter Holland’s NBA Draft prediction
No. 36 Brooklyn Nets
Watkins seems like a good fit in a Brooklyn Nets uniform, which is also less than two hours from his hometown of Trenton. Brooklyn is filled with young talent led by a young and upcoming head coach, Jordi Fernandez, who just completed his first year with the Nets.
The Nets could use some versatility in Watkins’ caliber, who can play either the two-guard spot or at the wing. He can be a good piece to complement Brooklyn’s top two scorers, Cam Thomas and Cameron Johnson.
At 6-foot-7, 225 pounds, his size and defensive presence could allow Watkins to earn minutes and work his way into an eight-man rotation. The No. 36 pick may seem a tad bit high for Watkins to be selected, so it wouldn’t be surprising if the Nets trade back a few spots before landing FSU’s leading scorer.
How to watch the NBA Draft Round 1
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Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: NBA Draft: Who will take FSU basketball’s Jamir Watkins? Here’s what mock drafts say
Reporting by Peter Holland Jr., Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
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