After a sitting out the 2015-16 season, Watkins was stepping into a big role as a redshirt freshman after the departure of Donovon Jack, Brandon Taylor, and Jordan Dickerson. He quickly established himself as one of the best shot-blockers in the nation, while flashing his ability to light up the scoreboard and dominate inside.
It didn’t take long to realize that Watkins is a type of player we haven’t had in State College for some time. Despite his inexperience, he showed an ability to alter the game significantly on both ends. More than anyone else, Watkins’ presence was sorely missed when he wasn’t on the court.