SJUDave
Well-known member
Decided to type out some thoughts...
The big name all St. John's fans are waiting to hear about is Jamir Watkins, transfer from FSU. Super talented wing, who has gotten so much better every year in college, with a capstone year last year.
Few thoughts:
Watkins has bounced around draft boards for two months and from what I understand is likely coming back to college. It's an interesting case study on player position in a "weak" draft along with how Agents / Handlers / Confidants shepherd their kids through this process. I've talked to so many agents / handlers this off-season, listen to people in the know like Daniel Poneman speak about the process and it's so vital to have the right people in your corner.
Watkins is in a spot where he could be a late draft pick or go undrafted. Decisions of taking a possible $500k two-way deal is worth being in the league OR go back to school, pair with the right program and coach (possibly/hopefully) Rick Pitino and St. John's, take ALL that feedback from NBA workouts, pair it with a HOF coach who knows what is needed to get to the NBA and develop into a sure fire NBA player in a year.
This is where said agents/parents/handlers/coaches NEED to have the kids best interest in mind and not be driven by potential short term financial gain and or guiding a player PASSED the "making it to the league" mentality that may backfire into "toiling" in the G-League, or something far less secure. Honesty and transparency is vital. Given the state of NIL in college basketball, especially in the schools he'd be coveted by, including St. John's, it seems like putting together one more strong year could be incredibly beneficial for Watkins long-term.
Time will tell. Best of luck to all the kids who are making tough decisions about their future today.
The big name all St. John's fans are waiting to hear about is Jamir Watkins, transfer from FSU. Super talented wing, who has gotten so much better every year in college, with a capstone year last year.
Few thoughts:
Watkins has bounced around draft boards for two months and from what I understand is likely coming back to college. It's an interesting case study on player position in a "weak" draft along with how Agents / Handlers / Confidants shepherd their kids through this process. I've talked to so many agents / handlers this off-season, listen to people in the know like Daniel Poneman speak about the process and it's so vital to have the right people in your corner.
Watkins is in a spot where he could be a late draft pick or go undrafted. Decisions of taking a possible $500k two-way deal is worth being in the league OR go back to school, pair with the right program and coach (possibly/hopefully) Rick Pitino and St. John's, take ALL that feedback from NBA workouts, pair it with a HOF coach who knows what is needed to get to the NBA and develop into a sure fire NBA player in a year.
This is where said agents/parents/handlers/coaches NEED to have the kids best interest in mind and not be driven by potential short term financial gain and or guiding a player PASSED the "making it to the league" mentality that may backfire into "toiling" in the G-League, or something far less secure. Honesty and transparency is vital. Given the state of NIL in college basketball, especially in the schools he'd be coveted by, including St. John's, it seems like putting together one more strong year could be incredibly beneficial for Watkins long-term.
Time will tell. Best of luck to all the kids who are making tough decisions about their future today.
