After graduating from McCallie School in May 2019, where he was a game-changer on the basketball court and scored a 31 on the ACT, Anthony Watkins excelled in his first professional start for the Giessen Pointers, a German fourth-division team, on Jan. 11.
The 6-foot-4, 210-pound point guard embraced the moment as the young 19-year-old burst onto the scene and flashed his growing potential. Watkins starred in his starting debut with 22 points on 9-of-11 shooting to go with eight rebounds, two assists and no turnovers.
“I remember wanting to show the fans of the city what my game was about,” Watkins said. “I was really juiced up for that moment and really played efficiently. You always have uncertainties about something new, but seeing that pan out just like I wanted it to was great for me in my young career. Ever since I graduated high school, I have been focused on taking my game to the next level. I love basketball and put a lot of energy into the game.”
After being a part of the 2019 Blue Tornado senior class that amassed 97 wins in its four seasons, Watkins has taken his talents to a new level in a country where his roots are strong.
From the age of 4, Watkins has spent every summer in Germany, where his father played pro basketball for 12 seasons and met Anthony’s mother. The young hooper who grew up in northern Georgia has a life-sized cutout of Dirk Nowitzki in his room and still remembers vividly watching the Dallas Mavericks lose to the Shaquille O’Neal- and Dwayne Wade-led Miami Heat in the 2006 NBA Finals. In 2011, Watkins’ favorite player with German roots exacted revenge against the Heat to win the NBA title.
Watkins has also gained valuable knowledge overseas by being a part of the Under-20 German national team and playing a bench role for Loewen Erfurt in German pro basketball’s third division.
His talent became evident at a young age when he would practice and play up against players three to four years older than him, and if he missed a layup during practice he would do pushups. He became a stellar scorer for McCallie and his Chattanooga Elite AAU team, showcasing a strong knack for finishing at the rim while displaying an accurate form from 3-point range.
While playing primarily as a shooting guard in the past, Watkins has been focusing on becoming an all-around point guard ahead of the biggest opportunity of his life this fall.
On Oct. 16, Watkins will be eligible to be a part of the 2020 NBA draft that will be televised from Brooklyn, New York.
“It has been a lifelong dream of mine to play in the NBA,” Watkins said. “As a young player, you want to see the next step you can take in your game, and I think this opportunity will definitely provide me that. Whether I am the first, 60th pick, or not picked at all, I am excited to see how I can improve and reach my full potential. I know God will light the right path for me, and wherever he leads me, that’s where I need to be and will go and work hard.”
Watkins’ assets include his athleticism, ball handling, ability to finish through contact, shooting mechanics, leadership and basketball IQ. He understands the importance of shooting well from 3-point range and being able to stretch a defense out to help make it easier to pick up more assists, too.
During the pandemic he has worked tirelessly on becoming an elite ball handler and improving his outside shot, as well as on his conditioning.
“I don’t have many bad games, but my next step is finding a way to make my great games more common,” he said. “I didn’t want to step on any toes in my first professional season. Now, I feel a lot more comfortable jumping into a leadership role and not being scared to shoot my shot. I am grateful for the opportunities I have had and can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.