Watkins will enroll in school in August and have two years of eligibility remaining.
Watkins posted 8.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per contest last season as a freshman at Okaloosa-Walton Community College, helping the Raiders to a 21-9 mark — including a runner-up finish in the Panhandle Conference — while qualifying for both the state and National Junior College Athletic Association tournaments. He led the squad with 33 blocked shots, was third with 42 steals and added 37 assists.
OWCC was already 2-0 this season entering last night’s game at L.B. Wallace College after earning a pair of victories in the Coca-Cola Classic last weekend.
The 6-foot-8, 215-pound center from Atlanta was an honorable mention all-state and first-team all-region and all-city selection as a senior at South Atlanta High School after averaging 12.5 points, 13 rebounds and 4.5 blocks per game while leading the Hornets to a 30-2 record and the 4A state championship game. Watkins was also named honorable mention all-state as well as first-team all-region and all-city his junior season, when SAHS posted a 27-3 mark.
A four-year starter and letterwinner, Watkins was twice named the Hornets’ most valuable player.
“Sylvania is a terrific fit for our style of play,” said Horn. “He is very long and athletic, and plays with a great deal of energy — he is not afraid to do the little things that lead to winning. Sylvania will be an excellent addition to our front line.”
He joins Daniel Emerson, who signed with the Hilltoppers Wednesday, in the 2005-06 recruiting class that also includes Florida State transfer Benson Callier.
“My staff worked very hard and did a good job of landing our top high school and top junior college targets,” said Horn, who is entering his second season at the helm of the program. “When added to our existing personnel, Daniel and Sylvania will give us solid balance and much-needed depth in the front court.”
The Hilltoppers take on Abilene Christian Saturday at 8 p.m. (CST) at E.A. Diddle Arena before opening the regular season with an 8:30 p.m. tip-off on Friday, Nov. 19 against Tennessee State in the annual BB&T Classic.
