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Jamir Watkins opted to come back to Florida State for another season after passing on the chance to enter the 2024 NBA Draft.

Now, the senior guard is ready to help Florida State improve on last season’s 17-16 record and be a contender in the ACC.

The journey starts Monday as Watkins and the Seminoles host Northern Kentucky in the season opener for both.

Florida State head coach Leonard Hamilton, who begins his 23rd season on the bench with the Seminoles, said Watkins has taken big steps forward this offseason.

“He has really, really improved on his perimeter shooting,” Hamilton told the Tallahassee Democrat. “I thought his defense in the second half energized the team. We just need everyone to be consistent with that kind of effort.”

Watkins led the Seminoles in scoring a year ago at 15.6 points per game while knocking down 33 3-pointers. He’s one of five seniors on the roster and poised to be a leader.

“He is calling guys out,” Hamilton said. “He has taken the next step in the leadership that we needed him to display to be successful.”

Northern Kentucky is once again expected to be one of the better mid-major programs in the country. The Norse were picked third in the Horizon League and are coming off an 18-15 season.

Two of its best players return in Sam Vinson and Trey Robinson, both of whom are first-team preseason All-Horizon League selections.

Robinson averaged 11.7 points and 7.0 rebounds last year, the best season of his career, and was the defensive player of the year in the league two years ago. He’s poised to hit the 1,000-point milestone as well, needing just 127 points to do it.

Vinson will also likely reach the 1,000-point mark. He’s 92 points away from the milestone, and like Robinson, is a force on defense, ranking seventh all-time in steals in program history with 176.

The game between the Seminoles and Norse will be the first ever between the programs.

–Field Level Media