Six-foot-eight power forward Isaiah Watkins became the first member of the 2013-2014 Duquesne basketball recruiting class this Thursday.
Watkins attended St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark, New Jersey. As a junior he averaged 8.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists, while helping his team to a 35-3 record and a No. 21 national ranking by USA Today. Watkins chose to attend Duquesne University over Miami, Arkansas, and Villanova, among others.
“I know they’re in the rebuilding stage, but I like the team concept and the way they use their forwards,” he told the Post-Gazette.
Along with his physical presence and size, Watkins has a nice 17 foot range on his jump shot and has displayed strong ability to run the floor. Mike George, his AAU coach (CIA Bounce), also raved about his high basketball I.Q.
In terms of his speed and shooting ability, Isaiah Watkins compares well to current Duquesne freshman Quevyn Winters. Winters has made an immediate impact on the court this year. In the season opener at Albany, he came off the bench to score 15 points, including three 3-pointers. He also ranks 2nd on the team in rebounds per game so far this season, averaging 5.5.
It is uncertain as to whether or not Coach Ferry will use Watkins in a similar role, however. Due to the new recruit’s size and the impending departure of senior forward Andre Marhold, it is likely that we will see Isaiah Watkins play less on the perimeter and more on the inside to help the Dukes out on the glass.
