TALLAHASSEE — When Florida State men’s basketball guard Jamir Watkins put on his jersey bearing No. 1, it was a reminder to himself to lead on the court and in the classroom.

Watkins, who earned an invitation ot the 2025 NBA Draft Combine earlier this week, graduated from Florida State on May 3, 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary social science from the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy.

Watkins earned All-ACC honors and led the Seminoles in scoring in both of his years wearing the garnet and gold. He was named to the All-ACC Academic Men’s Basketball team, the ACC Academic Honor Roll, and earned academic Dean’s List honors twice during his career.

But that’s not why he chose to wear No. 1 on his jersey.

Watkins wore the number to remind himself of his goal to become the first person in his family to earn a college degree. Each time the Seminoles appeared on national television, he wanted to show the younger members of his family that they have the abilities to earn an advanced degree.

“To become the first member of my family to earn a college degree is a blessing,” he said. “Graduating from Florida State will honor the belief that my mother and father have always had in me, while at the same time showing my brothers and sisters, my nieces and nephews, and everybody in my family what they can achieve.

“The opportunity to impact the younger members of my family is what drove me to become a graduate of Florida State University, and for that, I’ll be forever grateful.”