A hard working but lumbering presence in the paint for the Hoyas of the late 1990's, Jameel Watkins was a mainstay during some lean years for the program, while later earning a pro career far longer than anyone would have suggested.

An honorable mention All-American from Paul Robeson HS in Brooklyn NY, Watkins played alongside fellow Division I prospects Todd Myles (West Virginia), Allen Griffin (Syracuse) and Shamel Jones (Georgetown, later Memphis), averaging 13 points a game up front. But when he arrived at Georgetown, it became apparent that Watkins would spend little time on the court behind the likes of Othella Harrington and Jahidi White, and he sat the 1995-96 season instead.

By 1996-97, Watkins found himself backing up not only White, but Cheikh Dia in the rotation. A 13 point game against St. Leo was a season high, but Watkins managed only 21 points in Big East play, shooting just 38 percent at close range and failing to show much mobility in the paint.

As centers graduated, Watkins moved up the ladder, though his output was still inconsistent and sometimes hard to watch. He started 18 of 31 games as a junior in 1997-98, but averaged only 4.5 points per game. In 1999, with Jahidi White having graduated, Watkins started all 31 games as center, improving his shooting and finishing with a healthy 7.8 points and 7.2 rebounds a game, with a career high 21 versus Maryland-Eastern Shore.

Watkins returned as a fifth year senior in 1999-2000, serving as team captain. He started 23 of 34 games before Lee Scruggs took over in the lineup later in the season. Watkins struggled mightily in conference play, averaging 1.6 points a game in Big East play before the mvoe to Scruggs. He finished with 4.1 points overall during the season.

To no surprise, Watkins was not drafted in the 2000 NBA Draft, but instead began a remarkable and varied career overseas. Over 12 seasons, Watkins played on 30 different clubs, including two all-star appearances in the Japan Basketball League. At 39, he played his final season during a two week contract in Australia, scoring 16 points and 15 rebounds in a game for the Wellington Saints, a club later coached by former teammate Kevin Braswell.

Now retired, Watkins serves in a mentorship program with Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York.