Jameel Watkins

Jameel Sharif Watkins (born August 2, 1977) is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Wellington Saints of the New Zealand National Basketball League (NBL). He played college basketball for the Georgetown Hoyas during the late 1990s, earning a reputation for his defensive proficiency and shot-blocking skills. His professional career has taken him all around the world, playing with over 20 different teams. In addition, between 2000 and 2007, Watkins had four NBA training camp/preseason stints but never played in a regular-season game for any of them.

High school and college career Born in Brooklyn, New York, Watkins led Paul Robeson High School to an NYC championship and was earned honorable mention All-America honors by USA Today.

After redshirting the 1995–96 season, Watkins played in all but three games for Georgetown as a freshman in 1996–97, averaging 2.6 points and 2.7 rebounds in nine minutes per game.

Professional career

Early years (2000–2007) In his first professional season, the 2000–01 campaign, Watkins played in both the Continental Basketball Association and the American Basketball Association for the Fort Wayne Fury and the Los Angeles Stars. In April 2001, he signed a short-term deal with Spanish club Cáceres CB to replace the injured Tim Perry.

Watkins spent the first half of the 2001–02 season in Italy with Basket Livorno. He left the club in January 2002 and finished the season with the Fayetteville Patriots of the NBA Development League.

Between 2004 and 2007, Watkins played in the Korean Basketball League for Wonju Dongbu Promy. During this time, he also had off-season stints with Kuwait SC (2005) and Kansas Cagerz (2006).

Later years (2007–present) During the 2007–08 season, Watkins played in China for Fujian XunXin and in the Philippines for the Magnolia Beverage Masters. On April 7, he parted ways with the Saints. He appeared in three games for the Saints, averaging 7.7 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, and had a double-double of 16 points and 15 rebounds on March 31 against the Southland Sharks.