VITALS: 6-11, 258, Syracuse OVERVIEW: Ranks fifth in Syracuse history with 263 career blocks. Recorded a school record for most blocks by a senior with 112, and ranked seventh in Division I with an average of 3.4 rejections. Tied a school record with six blocks in an NIT Tournament game against San Diego State. Scored a career-high 18 points in a win over St. Bonaventure. During junior season, ranked 16th in Division I with 2.8 blocks per game. Averaged 11.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.0 blocks during Syracuse's four-game run to the Big East Tournament championship in 2006. LIKELY DRAFT POSITION: Very late second-round pick. COMPARATIVE UPSIDE: Ervin Johnson COMPARATIVE DOWNSIDE: Amal McCaskill ROLE PROJECTION: Backup center. POSITIVES: Watkins has an NBA center's body and athleticism and plenty of strength. That might not sound like much, but there have been very, very few true center prospects coming out of the college ranks in recent years. Watkins has shown the ability to block shots and finish strongly around the basket with dunks. He is a willing help defender who will step up the lane and challenge a driver. SHORTCOMINGS: Watkins can be foul-prone. He also has a tendency to get down on himself if he makes a bad play or misses an easy shot. Unlike most players at this level who, if anything, are overconfident, Watkins can lose confidence in his ability at times. Historically, Watkins has been a poor foul shooter, although he did improve and have some good stretches as a senior. This is very important for Watkins, because that is where the majority of his points will come from.
