Jamir Watkins Bio
Jamir Kamal Watkins (born July 6, 2001) is an American professional basketball player for the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The 24-year-old small forward signed a two-way contract with the Wizards and is affiliated with the Capital City Go-Go of the NBA G League. Watkins played college basketball for the VCU Rams and the Florida State Seminoles before being selected in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft.
Early Life and Background
Watkins was born and raised in Trenton, New Jersey. He attended Trenton Catholic Academy in Mercer County, New Jersey, where he developed his basketball skills during his formative years. Coming out of high school, Watkins was rated as a three-star recruit. His performance at the high school level demonstrated promising potential that attracted attention from college programs across the country.
Path to Professional Basketball
After completing high school, Watkins committed to playing college basketball for Virginia Commonwealth University. He began his collegiate career with the VCU Rams in the 2020-21 season, appearing in 26 games with two starts. He averaged 7.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 0.7 assists, and 0.9 steals per game during his freshman campaign. However, his sophomore season was cut short as he missed the entire 2021-22 season due to a knee injury.
Watkins returned to the court for the 2022-23 season and showed improvement. He scored 22 points against Northern Illinois on December 17, 2022, and recorded a double-double with 15 points and ten rebounds in a win over Richmond on January 20, 2023. In the Atlantic 10 conference tournament, he contributed 11 points, six rebounds, two assists, and three blocks in the first round. For the season, he averaged 9.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. Following the season, Watkins entered the NCAA transfer portal.
Jamir Watkins Career
Florida State Era (2023-2025)
Watkins transferred to Florida State University to continue his collegiate career with the Seminoles. He made an immediate impact during the 2023-24 season, starting all 33 games for Florida State. He averaged 15.6 points per game, six rebounds, and 2.8 assists while adding 64 steals and 26 blocks. His standout performances included a 27-point and 11-rebound game against Syracuse on January 23, 2024, and a career-high 34 points with 11 rebounds and four steals in the second round of the ACC tournament. These efforts earned him All-ACC honorable mention recognition for the season.
After the 2023-24 campaign, Watkins declared for the 2024 NBA Draft but ultimately withdrew his name to return to Florida State for his senior season. During his final collegiate year, he continued to produce at a high level. On November 9, 2024, he scored 30 points with six rebounds and an assist in a win over Rice. He followed that with a 29-point performance along with four rebounds, five assists, a steal, and a block against Tulane on December 14, 2024. His consistent excellence throughout the season earned him Second-team All-ACC honors in 2025.
Washington Wizards (2025-Present)
Watkins declared for the 2025 NBA Draft following his standout senior season at Florida State. He was selected by the Utah Jazz with the 43rd overall pick in the second round. The Washington Wizards acquired his draft rights and subsequently signed him to a two-way contract. This agreement allowed him to develop his professional game while gaining experience with the Capital City Go-Go in the NBA G League.
Playing Style and Strengths
Watkins plays the small forward position and possesses good size for his role at 6 feet 6 inches and 210 pounds. His offensive game features consistent scoring ability from multiple areas of the floor. He demonstrated the capacity to shoulder significant offensive burdens during his time at Florida State, starting every game over two seasons and averaging over 15 points per game. His rebounding and defensive instincts, evidenced by his steal and block totals in college, suggest potential for contributing on the defensive end at the professional level.
Notable Milestones
Watkins achieved several career highlights before turning professional. His career-high 34-point performance in the ACC tournament showcased his ability to elevate his game in high-pressure situations. Earning Second-team All-ACC recognition in 2025 validated his status as one of the top players in one of college basketball’s premier conferences. Being selected in the 2025 NBA Draft marked the culmination of his journey from Trenton, New Jersey, through his collegiate career at two major programs.
Jamir Watkins Career Statistics
Watkins compiled impressive statistics across his five collegiate seasons at VCU and Florida State. His progression from a limited role player to a primary scoring option demonstrated his development as a player.
College Career Highlights
During his time at VCU from 2020 to 2023, Watkins appeared in games across three seasons despite missing an entire year due to injury. His best season with the Rams came in 2022-23 when he averaged 9.5 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. At Florida State from 2023 to 2025, he emerged as a consistent double-digit scorer and starter. His 2023-24 season standouts included the 34-point ACC tournament performance and the 27-point game against Syracuse. His senior season saw him continue his high-level production with 30 and 29-point performances against quality opponents.
Professional Career
Watkins began his professional career with the Washington Wizards organization in 2025. As a rookie on a two-way contract, he splits time between the NBA roster and the Capital City Go-Go of the G League. The 43rd overall pick entered the league with professional experience against collegiate competition and a proven track record of production at the high-major level.
| Competition | Games | Points Per Game | Rebounds Per Game | Assists Per Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VCU (2020-23) | Various | 8.4 | 4.0 | 1.1 |
| Florida State (2023-25) | 66 | 15.6 | 6.0 | 2.8 |
Family
Personal Life
Watkins was born in Trenton, New Jersey, to American parents. He attended Trenton Catholic Academy in Mercer County, New Jersey, for his high school education. Details about his family members, including parents, siblings, or relationships, have not been made publicly available. His focus remains on his basketball career as he continues his development in the professional ranks.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Watkins’ rookie year in the NBA following his selection in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft. Drafted 43rd overall by the Utah Jazz with rights acquired by the Washington Wizards, he signed a two-way contract to begin his professional career. The Wizards’ organization provides him the opportunity to develop while contributing to their Capital City Go-Go affiliate in the G League.
Watkins brings his collegiate experience from the Atlantic Coast Conference to the professional level. His four seasons of high-major college basketball, including two years as a primary option at Florida State, provide a foundation for his transition to the NBA game speed and physicality. The two-way contract structure allows the Wizards to evaluate his progress while giving him consistent playing time to refine his skills.
His outlook for continued development includes working to adapt his offensive game to NBA three-point distance and defensive schemes. The mentorship within the Wizards organization and game experience at both the NBA and G League levels will be instrumental in his growth as a professional player. Watkins enters the league with a proven track record of improvement during his collegiate career, suggesting potential for continued development at the highest level of basketball.