The transfer portal battle royale continues—and this one has blue bloods and Big Ten bruisers in the mix.
According to a report from Jeff Goodman, Kentucky, Louisville, and Illinois are all in pursuit of five-star wing Jamir Watkins, one of the most coveted names still left on the board.
Watkins, a versatile scorer and strong two-way presence, would be a massive addition for any of the three programs. But for Kentucky, the fit could be exactly what Mark Pope has been targeting all offseason: length, athleticism, and defensive versatility.
📊 Jamir Watkins by the numbers
The 6-foot-7 wing is coming off his best collegiate season, posting:
- 18.4 points per game
- 5.7 rebounds
- 2.4 assists
While shooting 42% from the field and 32% from three
Here’s a look at his progression over four seasons:
- 2020-21: 7.2 PPG | 2.6 REB | 18.4 MIN
- 2022-23: 9.5 PPG | 5.4 REB | 23.5 MIN
- 2023-24: 15.6 PPG | 6.0 REB | 28.2 MIN
- 2024-25: 18.4 PPG | 5.7 REB | 30.9 MIN
Watkins isn’t the knockdown sniper Big Blue Nation might be craving—he’s hovered around the low 30s in 3-point percentage—but his all-around game makes him a major weapon on both ends of the court.
🧩 A perfect fit for Pope?
Let’s be clear: Watkins fits the 2025 Mark Pope blueprint like a glove.
Kentucky’s portal haul so far has focused on length, positional versatility, and defense-first mentality. With guys like Jaland Lowe, Otega Oweh (pending NBA Draft decision), Mouhamed Dioubate and Kam Williams already in the fold, Watkins would add another layer of mature, college-tested talent to a roster built to make noise in March.
While he's not a pure shooter, Watkins creates his own shot, draws fouls, and plays tough on-ball defense—an area Kentucky has prioritized after last year’s high-octane but leaky unit.
🔁 Rivalries reignited
If Kentucky lands Watkins, it’s a big win—not just for roster building, but for bragging rights. Louisville is also heavily involved, hoping Watkins can be a centerpiece for the Pat Kelsey era. Meanwhile, Illinois wants to reload after another strong year under Brad Underwood and Orlando Antigua (who Kentucky just knocked out of the tournament).
In short: this one’s got recruiting drama, rival tension, and major implications.
❓ Would you want Watkins in Lexington?
While he might not be the laser shooter Kentucky fans are hoping for, Watkins could end up being the glue guy Pope's system thrives on.
With elite rebounding, tough defense, and 18-point scoring upside, Watkins would slide in as a versatile player who could play multiple positions; also could replace Oweh if he decides to stay in the NBA Draft.
Now, it’s up to Mark Pope to close the deal—and keep him away from Louisville in the process.
Would you want to see Jamir Watkins in Kentucky blue next season? Let’s hear it, BBN.