Florida State’s Jamir Watkins Enters Transfer Portal Amid Roster Shakeup

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida State men’s basketball continues to see significant roster changes as Luke Loucks steps in as head coach following the legendary Leonard Hamilton‘s departure. The latest news involves star guard Jamir Watkins, who has declared for the transfer portal with a “Do Not Contact” designation.

Watkins, an All-ACC Second-Team selection this season, made headlines after averaging 18.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. His entry into the portal marks the second consecutive offseason in which he has opted to explore his options, having previously declared for the NBA Draft last year before ultimately returning to the Seminoles.

During his brief stint in the draft process last year, Watkins participated in the NBA Combine and held private workouts with teams, but chose to withdraw and rejoin the Seminoles for what turned out to be Hamilton’s final season. His emotional exit from the game at Tucker Center resonated with fans, highlighting his connection to the program.

The “Do Not Contact” tag attached to Watkins suggests that he may have a preferred destination in mind for his next team. However, this was a strategy he employed last season as well while considering his professional future. According to NCAA rules, Watkins retains another year of eligibility as he has yet to exhaust his time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This season, Watkins aimed to enhance his three-point shooting, although he ended the year with a slightly lower shooting percentage despite increased attempts. His age and these statistics may hinder his prospects of being selected in the first round of the NBA Draft. Still, analysts suggest he could be a viable second-round candidate.

Watkins is the 10th player from Florida State to enter the transfer portal since the offseason began, joining a list that includes Taylor Bol Bowen, Waka Mbatch, Chandler Jackson, Daquan Davis, Malique Ewin, Justin Thomas, Jerry Deng, Christian Nitu, and Anastasios Rozakeas.

Meanwhile, Bol Bowen, a former Seminoles player, announced he would transfer to Alabama, providing the Crimson Tide with a significant addition to their roster. The forward stands 6-foot-10 and averaged 8 points and 5.2 rebounds last season. His move adds height to Alabama’s lineup as they gear up for the next season.

Alabama’s 2024-25 season ended in the Elite Eight, with the team falling to Duke after a successful tournament run marked by a historic three-point shooting performance against BYU. While Alabama has seen just one player, Naas Cunningham, enter the transfer portal, they will be losing four players — Mark Sears, Grant Nelson, Cliff Omoruyi, and Chris Youngblood — who have exhausted their eligibility. The current transfer portal entry window will remain open until April 22.