“Jiggy” Josh Daquan Watkins means bizness.
Verbals and Visual: Guy Ruffin
Joshua Daquan Watkins is a NYC 5’10”-185lbs point guard. As a Wadliegh H.S. senior in ’06-’07, he put up serious numbers: 23.4 ppg, 6.6 apg, 2.8 rpg in PSAL Division AA, 26.8ppg, 9.8ass, 4.0rb in‘07 play-offs. Last summer, he did the same against men during competition at EBC @ Rucker Park, Kingdome, and Tri-State Classic. I recently caught up with him to see where he’s headed . . .
Guy Ruffin: Where did the nickname “Jiggy” come from?
JW: My mother Lisa Watkins and aunt Yvette been calling me that since I was young.
Who taught you how to play?
My mother is a huge basketball fan so when I was five she took me to Riverside Church. Coach Dermon Player taught me the stuff I didn’t pick up from my two older brothers Nathaniel and Charles.
When did you and others realize you were actually good?
They put me on the 10 & Under team when I was eight. I was scoring double figures every game but I wasn’t starting cuz I was younger. I didn’t like coming off the bench so my mother took me to Abyssinian. Coach “Turtle,” Miguel “Doc” Wallace and Tracy Young showed me the ropes until I was sixteen.
Where were you before Wadleigh H.S.?
I was at Mt. Carmel for eighth grade then I went to St. Agnes and Our Saviour Lutheran. I want to thank Oswald Cross (OSL), Michael Crump (Wadleigh) and Lanny “Mooka” Stockdale for keeping me focused and out of trouble.
Who is your favorite player?
Allen Iverson. I want people to say I play like A.I. on steroids!
What would happen if you faced him on the court?
Oh, no question I’d give him 30!
Ok, strong statement, that’s what’s up! What college pg plays the way you do or how you want to?
Ty Lawson. We have a similar build but he’s OD fast!
I heard you turned down a lucrative offer from BALL4REAL.
I was playing in the Tri-State, shout to Mousey, and coach Steve Burtt Sr. approached my moms about my availability, but she let him know I’m going to college. [Peep the clip below to see highlights from that game.]
Speaking of college, what’s the plan for you?
I had a low S.A.T. score, so I wanted to go to prep school to work on that but that’s no longer an option because I graduated from Wadleigh. I’m now heading to Howard College in Texas, a D1 JUCO for two years and want to eventually transfer to a top D1 program. I would love to play for Bob Knight, Roy Williams, Rick Pitino or Jim Boeheim if they’re interested.
Mike Coburn, Erving Walker, Kemba Walker–all local guards who have received a lot of fanfare and attention, but where do you stand among them?
They deserved that. I don’t get mentioned with them and no disrespect but I’m just as good if not better than all of them!
That’s what I’m talking about! That’s confidence spoken like a true NYC POINT GOD! Hey I know you like to sing a lot who stays in heavy rotation on your iPod?
Chris Brown, Ne-Yo, Mario and Trey Songz.
Do you have a celebrity crush you want to put out there?
Lauren London! I really want to meet her! Love me some “New-New!”
Footage of “Jiggy” doin’ it against Ball 4 Real, courtesy www.insidestreetball.com
