FSU basketball's Jamir Watkins had many options in offseason. Here's why he came back
Jamir Watkins returned to Florida State basketball with a goal in mind.
To lead.
"I've seen growth. The more I matured off the court it led to my maturing on the court. So my off-court habits just carried on to on the court," Watkins said. "We got a young group, so its about putting them in the right position, working out with them, off the court and on the court, and just helping them any way I can."
He returns as an All-ACC preseason second-team selection and as the leader of a team that features 10 underclassmen on its roster and 10 new faces to the program.
After averaging 15.6 points, six rebounds and almost three assists per game, Watkins tested the NBA Draft waters and the transfer portal before eventually returning to Tallahassee.
Watkins made waves during the NBA Draft combine, performing well in both drills and combine scrimmages. He had a strong chance of being selected come draft night, but the redshirt senior feels he can elevate his stock with one more season in Garnet and Gold.
"The draft process was a great experience. Something I definitely can't wait to get back to," Watkins said. "This last season for me, is going to be a big one. I want to enjoy the time that I have with the guys that are here, and make the most out of what I can"
Watkins gives young Seminoles someone to 'pattern themselves after'
Watkins mulled his options during the offseason. The NBA was a realistic possibility as was the chance to transfer.
The one thing neither of those options had was Leonard Hamilton.
Watkins has a strong bond with FSU's head coach. Hamilton brought Watkins in from VCU last season and that pairing led to the redshirt senior's best season of his career. Watkins is a plus defender − recording 64 steals and 28 blocks last season − and he feels Hamilton allows him to be at his best.
"He allows us to play freely. He preaches everything on defense that I enjoy doing," Watkins said. "Playing hard, competing, diving on the floor for loose balls, rebounding the ball, some might do well."
"So it's been fun for me. I enjoy every bit of it."
Hamilton said Watkins' return is a boost to the team, giving the younger players on the roster someone to look up to. Watkins started all 33 games for FSU last season, playing in every position from point guard to center with his 6-foot-7 frame.
He often made the Seminoles tick last season. Hamilton said while it's only his second season with FSU, Watkins knows the system and how he likes to press teams defensively.
"Anytime you can bring a player back of his caliber with as many new guys that you have it gives you a staple," Hamilton said. "It gives you someone for them to pattern themselves after. Someone who is knowledgable."
Watkins heads into the 2024-25 season trying to lift the young Seminoles into competition in a very strong ACC. In the ACC media preseason polls, the Seminoles were picked to finish No. 15 out of 18 teams in the league.
The play of Watkins will be crucial for FSU if it wants to outperform its preseason expectations. He's still learning how to be the best leader, but Watkins said his growth as a leader for the young players starts on the court, and he's enjoying how to learn to be better.
"It's been something new that I'm getting used to," Watkins said. "It's been fun just being able to be one of the guys that people look up to in a good way. I'm taking advantage of it and just learning about myself as I'm teaching the younger guys."
Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Why Florida State basketball's Jamir Watkins came back this season
