Darryl Watkins
Encyclopedia
Darryl "Mookie" Finesse Watkins (born November 8, 1984, in Paterson, New Jersey
) is an American
professional basketball
player. He is a former college basketball
player for the Syracuse Orange who has a reputation for his shot-blocking ability.
He was rated 35th nationally and seventh at center by ESPN.com, 35th by PrepStars, 51st by Insiders Hoops, and 60th by Hoop Scoop. New Jersey Hoops ranked him 4th in New Jersey.
Watkins averaged 8.1 points and 7.5 rebounds a game in his senior year. He missed several games early on in the season due to a bruised nose, but still appeared in 33 games, starting 32 of them. He continued his intimidation inside, ranking seventh in Division I players in blocked-shot average (3.4). In the NIT
, Watkins blocked six shots against San Diego State, tying Syracuse's NIT record.
Watkins wore # 13 as a member of the Orange.
on November 9, 2005, and matching that with another 8-block effort in a 77-76 win over Cincinnati
on January 27, 2007. Watkins during his tenure at Syracuse was affectionately called 'Mookie'
. In August 2007, Watkins signed a partially guaranteed deal worth an estimated $450,000 with the Kings and appeared in nine games.
and the Iowa Energy
of the NBA Development League
.
in the 2008 Las Vegas Summer League.
. He, together with Devin Green
and Salim Stoudamire
, were cut on October 23 because the Spurs were cutting down their roster size.
of the CBA
on November 6, 2008.
(BC Red Star Belgrade) agreed to sign Watkins for the 2009-10 season. However, Watkins opted to remain in the United States after the birth of his daughter on August 14. He tried out for the Cleveland Cavaliers
, but was waived on October 22, 2009.
Watkins played for the Indiana Pacers
in the Orlando Pro Summer League in 2010.
in the Lebanese Basketball League
. He was contacted by the Los Angeles Lakers
but they decided not to sign him.
Paterson, New Jersey
Paterson is a city serving as the county seat of Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, its population was 146,199, rendering it New Jersey's third largest city and one of the largest cities in the New York City Metropolitan Area, despite a decrease of 3,023...
) is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player. He is a former college basketball
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
player for the Syracuse Orange who has a reputation for his shot-blocking ability.
High school
A first-team all-state pick as a senior, Watkins was a four-time all-county selection and earned all-area his final two seasons. He averaged approximately 16 points, 11 rebounds, six blocks and three assists in his senior campaign.He was rated 35th nationally and seventh at center by ESPN.com, 35th by PrepStars, 51st by Insiders Hoops, and 60th by Hoop Scoop. New Jersey Hoops ranked him 4th in New Jersey.
College
Used as a backup for his first two seasons at Syracuse, Watkins became Syracuse's starting center in his junior year. He registered 99 blocks that season, and ranked 16th in Division I blocked shots per game (2.8). He finished the season averaging 7.1 points and 7.3 rebounds.Watkins averaged 8.1 points and 7.5 rebounds a game in his senior year. He missed several games early on in the season due to a bruised nose, but still appeared in 33 games, starting 32 of them. He continued his intimidation inside, ranking seventh in Division I players in blocked-shot average (3.4). In the NIT
National Invitation Tournament
The National Invitation Tournament is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are two NIT events each season. The first, played in November and known as the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off , was founded in 1985...
, Watkins blocked six shots against San Diego State, tying Syracuse's NIT record.
Watkins wore # 13 as a member of the Orange.
College legacy
Watkins finished his career with 67 starts in 106 appearances with averages of 6.0 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. He ranked fifth in career blocks at Syracuse with 263 and recorded three or more blocks in a game 48 times during his tenure. Highlights include blocking a career-high 8 shots in a 67-62 win over CornellCornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
on November 9, 2005, and matching that with another 8-block effort in a 77-76 win over Cincinnati
University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati is a comprehensive public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a part of the University System of Ohio....
on January 27, 2007. Watkins during his tenure at Syracuse was affectionately called 'Mookie'
Sacramento Kings
On June 29, 2007 Watkins signed a free agent contract with the Sacramento Kings. Watkins played for the Kings' mini-camp in early July and also in their Vegas summer league. In the Vegas summer league, he averaged 3.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 0.8 blocks per game, including a nine-point, three-rebound effort against the Houston RocketsHouston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
. In August 2007, Watkins signed a partially guaranteed deal worth an estimated $450,000 with the Kings and appeared in nine games.
D-League Stint (Iowa Energy and LA D-Fenders)
However, on December 10, the Kings waived Watkins and Watkins split the rest of the season with the Los Angeles D-FendersLos Angeles D-Fenders
The Los Angeles D-Fenders are a NBA Development League team based in Los Angeles, California. Founded in 2006, the team is owned by the Los Angeles Lakers, which became the first National Basketball Association franchise to own a D-League team...
and the Iowa Energy
Iowa Energy
The Iowa Energy are a 2007-08 expansion team of the NBA Development League, of which they are the current defending champions. They play their home games at the Wells Fargo Arena at Iowa Events Center....
of the NBA Development League
NBA Development League
The NBA Development League, or NBA D-League, is the National Basketball Association's official minor league basketball organization. Known until summer 2005 as the National Basketball Development League , the NBA D-League started with eight teams in the fall of 2001...
.
Los Angeles Clippers
Watkins played for the Los Angeles ClippersLos Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
in the 2008 Las Vegas Summer League.
San Antonio Spurs
On September 11, 2008, Watkins signed a two-year deal with the San Antonio SpursSan Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
. He, together with Devin Green
Devin Green
Devin Green is a professional basketball player. He was undrafted out of Hampton University, and was signed by the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent, appearing in 27 games in the 2005-2006 season. On October 30, 2006, he was waived by the Lakers...
and Salim Stoudamire
Salim Stoudamire
Charles Salim Stoudamire is an American professional basketball player. He is a cousin of former NBA point guard and 1996 NBA Rookie of the Year Damon Stoudamire and current University of Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball player Terrence Jones.Stoudamire was selected by the Atlanta Hawks in the...
, were cut on October 23 because the Spurs were cutting down their roster size.
Tianjin (CBL)
When no NBA team was willing to sign Watkins, he signed with Tianjin RonggangTianjin Ronggang
The Tianjin Ronggang Golden Lions are a basketball team in the North Division of the Chinese Basketball Association, based in Tianjin....
of the CBA
Chinese Basketball League
The National Basketball League is a semi-professional basketball minor league in China, called Chinese Basketball League before 2005...
on November 6, 2008.
2009–10
KK Crvena ZvezdaKK Crvena zvezda
Košarkaški klub Crvena zvezda is a professional basketball club based in Belgrade, Serbia. Its name Crvena zvezda means Red Star and it's part of the Red Star Belgrade sports society ....
(BC Red Star Belgrade) agreed to sign Watkins for the 2009-10 season. However, Watkins opted to remain in the United States after the birth of his daughter on August 14. He tried out for the Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
, but was waived on October 22, 2009.
Watkins played for the Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
in the Orlando Pro Summer League in 2010.
2010-2011
In 2010, Darryl Watkins signed a contract with SagesseHekmeh
Hekmeh SC, or Hekmeh Sports Club also known by its French synonym Sagesse or Club Sagesse or Club Sportif Sagesse is a multi-sports club in Lebanon....
in the Lebanese Basketball League
Lebanese Basketball League
The Lebanese Basketball League or FLB League or BANKMED FLB League is the top basketball league in Lebanon and one of the top leagues in Asia. It is organised annually as a national championship with playoffs and a national cup by the Lebanese Basketball Federation . The Men Division A made up of...
. He was contacted by the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
but they decided not to sign him.