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The 2024 NBA draft withdraw deadline was an excellent day for college basketball fans, as it saw the return of multiple All-American caliber talents – including Mark Sears to Alabama, Caleb Love to Arizona, and Alex Karaban to UConn.
It also sets up a new wave in the transfer portal, with Coleman Hawkins, Trevon Brazile, Arthur Kaluma, Ugonna Onyenso, and Garwey Dual among the top talents now looking for a new college basketball home.
A bit more under the radar is Florida State wing Jamir Watkins, who pulled out of the draft and will look for a new home coming off an outstanding season under Leonard Hamilton. Watkins spent two years at VCU before transferring to FSU last year, and he averaged a career-high 15.6 points with 6.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.9 steals while shooting 50% on twos and 34.4% from beyond the arc.
At 6’7 and with a 6’11 wingspan, Watkins is a high level wing who could help nearly any team in college hoops. Below is a look at five programs who have the need and resources to land the rising senior, starting with a big brand in the Big Ten.
Syndication: Detroit Free Press
Dusty May is hard at work rebuilding the Michigan Wolverines after a disastrous end to the Juwan Howard era in Ann Arbor. The former Florida Atlantic coach has added quite a few pieces in the transfer portal, including bringing center Vlad Goldin from FAU and adding guards Tre Donaldson (Auburn), Roddy Gayle (Ohio State), and Rubin Jones (North Texas).
Watkins would be a major addition on the wing, giving the Wolverines length, scoring touch, and defensive chops on the perimeter as they look to get back in the mix in the Big Ten.
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Rick Pitino and St. John’s have had an excellent offseason, adding a pair of uber talented guards via the transfer portal in Kadary Richmond (Seton Hall) and Deivon Smith (Utah).
However, the team still needs to replace Chris Ledlum (eligibility) and Glenn Taylor (Grand Canyon) out on the wing, and Watkins could really thrive in a more up tempo system like Pitino’s – while playing close to his Trenton, NJ home.
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Another option close to home for Watkins, and also in the Big East, is Villanova. The Wildcats got good news with the return of Eric Dixon from the NBA draft process, but after guard Max Shulga opted to return to VCU this team has been in search of another guard to come in and fill a big role right away. With Wooga Poplar visiting Oregon, ‘Nova could turn their attention to Watkins.
Watkins would get a ton of run in Kyle Neptune’s offense, and while the program is not where it once was the prestige of playing at Villanova might appeal to the rising senior.
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Rodney Terry and Texas have added quite a few talented guards in the transfer portal already, including point guard Jordan Pope from Oregon State and Tramon Mark from Arkansas, but with Dillon Mitchell’s departure to Cincinnati and the loss of Dylan Disu to graduation this team could use some size on the wing.
Enter Watkins, who at 6’7 and with a 6’11 wingspan could easily fill a role as a rangy wing for the Longhorns, both defensively and as a primary scoring option. Texas wants to make a splash in their first SEC season, and adding Watkins would certainly help them do so.
Syndication: The Topeka Capital-Journal
Arthur Kaluma is one of the other top forwards currently available in the transfer portal, and unless Kansas State can convince him to come back they will be in the hunt for his replacement.
Jerome Tang already brought in Achor Achor from Samford and Brendan Hausen from Villanova, but with Kaluma, Cam Carter (LSU), and William McNair (eligibility) all gone, there is still room for a big time player like Watkins in Manhattan.
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Courtesy : https://collegesportswire.usatoday.com/lists/jamir-watkins-transfer-portal-college-basketball-florida-state/