USA TODAY Sports

All-ACC Guard With Strong Gonzaga Connections Enters Transfer Portal

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Blayne Gilmer | Last updated Apr 9, 2025 10:40 PM ET

Florida State guard Jamir Watkins has officially entered the NCAA transfer portal, according to multiple reports, including one from On3’s Joe Tipton. Watkins, who spent two seasons with the Seminoles after transferring from VCU, will be one of the more sought-after names on the market this offseason.

Standing at 6-foot-7 with positional versatility, strong rebounding skills, and a growing offensive arsenal, Watkins is expected to draw significant interest from high-major programs across the country.

One program to keep a close eye on in the race for Watkins is Gonzaga. The Bulldogs are believed to be seriously in the mix, thanks in large part to the presence of assistant coach R-Jay Barsh on Mark Few’s staff. Barsh previously spent time at Florida State under Leonard Hamilton and was part of the Seminoles’ program during the time Watkins was transferring in. That preexisting connection could give the Zags a leg up as Watkins evaluates his next move.

NEWS: Florida State guard Jamir Watkins has entered the transfer portal, source tells me and @PeteNakos_.

The 6-7 senior averaged 18.4 PPG this season. All-ACC 2nd Team. https://t.co/uNKDmSEzka pic.twitter.com/HKOFMq1g9f
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) April 9, 2025

Watkins had a productive 2024-2025 season at Florida State, averaging 18.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. His ability to impact the game in multiple ways, particularly on the defensive end, made him a key piece in the Seminoles' rotation. He also showed improved three-point shooting and shot-making off the dribble, which could make him an even more dynamic threat in the right system.

Having already played four college seasons (two at VCU, two at FSU), it is unclear whether Watkins would need a waiver from the NCAA to get a fifth year of eligibility. As an elder statesman in college basketball, Watkins will be looking for a landing spot that offers both the opportunity to win and to develop, similar to Khalif Battle a year ago. Gonzaga, with its track record of developing transfers and preparing players for the next level, fits that mold nicely.

As the Zags continue to shape their roster for the 2025 season, Watkins’ name is one to watch closely. With his experience, size, and two-way upside, he could be a valuable addition to a Gonzaga team looking to reload for another deep NCAA Tournament run.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: