# Jamir Watkins Transfer Portal Saga: Why North Carolina ‘Makes Perfect Sense’ as NBA Draft Stock Cools in Spring 2025
In the ever-chaotic world of college basketball’s transfer portal, few stories captured the imagination quite like that of Jamir Watkins in the spring of 2025. The former Florida State standout, fresh off a breakout senior season where he averaged 18.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game while earning Second-Team All-ACC honors, found himself at a crossroads. On April 9, 2025, Watkins declared for the 2025 NBA Draft while simultaneously entering the transfer portal with a “do not contact” tag—a move that signaled he was seriously weighing his professional options but keeping college as a viable fallback.
This wasn’t Watkins’ first rodeo with such high-stakes decisions. The previous year, he had tested the waters in a similar fashion before withdrawing and returning to Tallahassee for what proved to be a career-defining season under legendary coach Leonard Hamilton, who retired shortly after. But in 2025, with Hamilton gone and new head coach Luke Loucks rebuilding the Seminoles amid a mass exodus—10 players hit the portal that offseason—Watkins’ departure felt more permanent. His announcement sent shockwaves through the ACC and beyond, as the 6-foot-7, 210-pound wing with a near-7-foot wingspan was widely regarded as one of the top available talents.
Watkins’ game had evolved into something NBA scouts salivated over during his time at Florida State. After transferring from VCU, where he sat out a year with a knee injury and averaged solid but unspectacular numbers, he exploded in the ACC. His junior year (2023-24) saw him post 15.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.9 steals per game, earning Honorable Mention All-ACC. But it was his redshirt senior campaign that truly turned heads: leading the Seminoles in scoring, improving his three-point shooting to 36% on higher volume, and showcasing defensive versatility that allowed him to guard positions 1 through 4. Analysts compared him to players like Deni Avdija or Caris LeVert—versatile wings who could score at three levels, draw fouls at an elite rate, and disrupt on the perimeter.
Early NBA buzz was strong. Watkins attended the combine, impressed in scrimmages with his athleticism, shot-making, and passing, and even flashed in private workouts. Mock drafts had him creeping into the late first or early second round in a class considered one of the weaker ones in recent memory. At 23 years old (turning 24 soon after the draft), he was an older prospect, but his physical tools—a 6’11” wingspan, explosive burst, and strong frame—made him intriguing for teams needing immediate-impact role players.
However, as the pre-draft process unfolded in May 2025, the hype began to dwindle. Reports from the NBA Combine in Chicago painted a mixed picture. While Watkins showed defensive promise and malleability, concerns lingered about his age, inconsistent three-point shooting in high-pressure settings, and finishing efficiency at the rim. One CBS Sports mock draft notably dropped him out of the first round entirely. 247Sports’ Adam Finkelstein noted a lack of substantial buzz around Watkins in Chicago, suggesting that guaranteed money in the late first or early second might not materialize. For a player who had already played five college seasons (including a redshirt), the prospect of going undrafted or settling for a two-way contract suddenly loomed large.
This cooling stock reopened the door to college basketball—and that’s where North Carolina entered the picture in a big way.
The Tar Heels, under Hubert Davis, were facing their own roster crunch heading into the 2025-26 season. Freshman wing Drake Powell, a highly-touted recruit, had an explosive showing at the combine and was increasingly likely to stay in the draft, leaving a gaping hole at small forward in UNC’s starting lineup. Carolina had swung and missed on several portal targets, including Andrej Stojakovic, who chose Illinois over the Tar Heels. With Powell potentially gone, UNC needed a veteran wing who could step in immediately, score in bunches, and bring ACC experience.
Enter Jamir Watkins—the perfect fit on paper.
As 247Sports analyst Adam Trotter pointed out during the combine frenzy, “Drake Powell had an unbelievable day today. If he’s gone from North Carolina, the Tar Heels have a lot of experience playing against Jamir Watkins in the ACC the last couple of years. He makes a lot of sense for them.” Watkins had torched UNC in multiple matchups, routinely scoring in double figures against their defense. His size, scoring ability, and defensive length would pair beautifully with returning pieces, providing the kind of high-volume, three-level threat that Davis’ offense craves.
Insiders whispered that UNC was poised to pivot hard if Watkins withdrew. “Could UNC pivot to Jamir Watkins? That makes sense to me on paper,” Trotter added. Substantial NIL deals were reportedly on the table from blue-blood programs, and for a 23-year-old who might face a fringe NBA existence as a second-rounder (or lower), returning to college for one final season at a contender like North Carolina could mean millions more in earnings while boosting his stock for 2026.
Other suitors emerged: Kentucky under new leadership, Arkansas with John Calipari’s remnants, Louisville with Pat Kelsey, and even Illinois. Reports in late April and May had Watkins narrowing options to a handful, including the Wildcats and Cardinals. But UNC stood out for familiarity—Watkins knew the ACC inside out, and Chapel Hill offered a direct path to the starting lineup, March Madness spotlight, and pro development in a system that has produced NBA wings.
The deadline loomed: May 28, 2025, for withdrawing from the draft to retain eligibility (with the full NBA deadline in June). Tension built as Watkins weighed leaving “millions on the table” in NIL versus a risky pro jump. Some outlets, like On3, reported he was staying in the draft, citing strong combine feedback and a desire to begin his professional career. Yet others, including 247Sports, insisted a return was “firmly on the table” due to dwindling buzz.
In the end, the NBA called louder—or perhaps the feedback was just enough. Watkins remained in the 2025 Draft, forgoing his final year of eligibility. He was selected in the second round, 43rd overall, by the Washington Wizards (via a trade with the Utah Jazz). It marked the culmination of a whirlwind journey: from VCU bench player to ACC star to NBA rookie.
Reflecting on the “what if” with UNC feels poignant. Hubert Davis’ squad could have used Watkins’ grit and scoring punch, especially after Powell’s departure. Instead, Watkins landed in Washington on a two-way deal, debuting in the 2025-26 preseason and even scoring his first NBA bucket in garbage time early in the regular season. By November 2025, he was contributing off the bench for a struggling Wizards team, earning praise for his defense and energy.
The transfer portal saga of Jamir Watkins will be remembered as one of the most intriguing of the 2025 cycle—a tale of skyrocketing stock, fading hype, and a pivotal decision that sent him pro rather than to Chapel Hill. North Carolina “made sense,” as experts said, but the NBA dream won out. For Watkins, now suiting up in the league at age 24, it’s a bet on himself that could pay off handsomely if he carves out a role. And for college hoops fans, it’s a reminder of how quickly fortunes shift in this NIL and portal era.
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