Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) men’s basketball Keyunta Watkins
1,000 points is impressive enough. But Watkins hit the milestone in only two years’ time and according to head coach Donnie Bostwick , he wasn’t exactly brought in to be the leading scorer his junior season, “Last season Key came in with a bunch of talented seniors. He fit in perfectly which can be a challenge for a scorer who is used to having the ball in his hands most of the time.”
It didn’t seem to bother Watkins, who can always be found with a megawatt smile, he didn’t expect to make such a bang, “1,009 points never came to my mind. I just wanted to come to SAGU and try to win a championship and to get a better chance of going overseas.”
He came to SAGU from Temple Junior College in Temple, Texas. During his two years as a JUCO player, Watkins scored 818 points.
Currently, Watkins ranks no. two in the NAIA in three-point field goals made per game (3.5), no. two in the NAIA in total three-point field goals made (105), and no. seven in the NAIA in total scoring with 578 points this season.
“Not only is Keyunta one of the best shooters I have ever coached, he is one of the biggest winners. He hates to lose and wills us to victory,” says Bostwick, “Many predicted that this would be a rebuilding year with so many young players, especially after losing Remington (Mitchell) to injury. Keyunta, along with fellow senior Junior, took over this team’s leadership role, and through God’s help, have shocked everyone coming only one possession from winning a SAC Championship.”
“It all means that hard work has somewhat paid off but I know more is to come,” explains Watkins.
And just how much more? Watkins says it best, “However many it takes to win it all. I don’t have a set number, I just want to win.”
Every Lion fan agrees, they all want him to win too.
Watkins next chance to win comes on Tuesday, February 28, 2017, when the Lions host John Brown University at 7pm. If they win, SAGU will then advance to the Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) tournament. Beyond that, SAGU has qualified for the NAIA National Championship in mid-March.
Southwestern Assemblies of God University is a private, Christian university located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas. The university was established in 1927, and now offers more than 70 associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees on campus or online. More information is available at www.sagu.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-SAGU.
Contact: Natalie Tristan, SAGU SID, [email protected]
