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FSU Basketball strengthens defense with VCU transfer Jamir Watkins amidst offseason changes

Originally posted on FanNation NoleGameDay
By Austin Veazey,Tommy Mire | Last updated 4/16/23

Florida State landed a commitment from its second transfer in as many days on Saturday evening after VCU forward transfer Jamir Watkins. This news comes shortly after Florida State's leading scorer Matthew Cleveland announced his intentions to transfer out and guard Josh Nickleberry announced his to transfer in.

The 6-foot-7, 200-pound redshirt sophomore out of Trenton, N.J. averaged 9.5 PPG and 5.4 RPG last year after he suffered a torn ACL in September and missed the entire 2021-22 season.

As a freshman, he appeared in 26 games and was third on the team, averaging 7.1 PPG. He was also third on the team in three-pointers shooting 22 for the Rams.

His biggest contribution to Florida State is going to be his defense, he’s an extremely versatile defender, averaging 1.9 blocks + steals per game this past season. FSU’s defense was the worst it’s been in Hamilton’s tenure, and getting a player with Watkins’ defensive abilities will help a ton as a long, rangy wing, much in the vein of Cam’Ron Fletcher.

This article first appeared on FanNation NoleGameDay and was syndicated with permission.

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