Report: Jamir Watkins to remain in 2025 NBA Draft

After putting together an impressive showing in the pre-draft workouts, Florida State star Jamir Watkins intends to remain in the 2025 NBA Draft. He informed CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein of his decision.

Watkins is coming off a tremendous season with the Seminoles. He averaged 18.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.2 steals per game.

Simply put, he was one of the best individual players in college basketball. Checking in at 6 foot 7 in the backcourt, he also offers elite size and length.

Jamir Watkins’ decision to remain in the NBA Draft also comes amid an uncertain backdrop should he have opted to return to college. He had already played in four seasons, spending two years at VCU and two years at Florida State.

He entered the NCAA transfer portal on April 9, seemingly set to look for another school had he opted to return. Now it’ll be a moot point.

Watkins signed with VCU as a member of its 2020 recruiting class and played in 26 games during his freshman season. He then missed the entirety of his sophomore campaign with a knee injury before returning in 2022.

That season, he averaged 9.5 points and 5.4 rebounds per contest while shooting 41 percent from the field. He entered the transfer portal that spring, choosing the Seminoles over a host of other offers.

During his two years in Tallahassee, he developed into one of the ACC’s premier players, averaging a career-best 18.3 points and 5.2 rebounds per game in 2024-25. He did so while also shooting a career-high 36 percent from behind the arc.

Watkins initially tested the NBA Draft waters after the 2023 season. This time he tested the waters and found them quite accommodating.

On3 writer Keegan Pope also contributed to this report on Florida State star Jamir Watkins.