Men's Basketball

Former Richard J. Daley College Men’s Basketball All-American Excelling Overseas

Diante Watkins receives four awards in German professional basketball league

CHICAGO – Diante Watkins, a former Richard J. Daley College men’s basketball All-American who completed his second professional season with SC Rist Wedel (Rist, Germany) last month, was recognized for his performances in 2014-15 as he received four awards from Germany’s 2nd Bundesliga Pro B League, which is comprised of 24 teams.

Watkins was voted as the Pro B Player of the Year, Guard of the Year and Import Player of the Year.  In addition, the 5-foot, 9-inch guard was selected to the All-Pro B first team.

Watkins helped SC Rist Wedel advance to the finals in the Pro B North Division playoffs this year and finish with a 22-11 overall record after recording team-best averages of 21.3 points, 6.8 assists and 3.2 steals per game.  His scoring average also placed him second in the league standings.  As a rookie in 2013-14, Watkins led the squad with a 16.2 points-per-game clip while also contributing 3.8 assists and 1.1 steals each outing.

The Hubbard High School graduate played at Daley in the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons.  He was a third-team All-American as a sophomore after averaging 26.5 points, 5.8 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 2 steals per game for the 22-8 Bulldogs.

After completing his Daley career, Watkins transferred to Robert Morris University in Chicago and established himself as one of the top NAIA players in the country as he was a two-time first-team All-American and the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year his senior season in 2011-12.  Watkins averaged 24.4 points, 7.4 assists, 3 rebounds and 2.1 steals in his final campaign.

While completing his bachelor’s degree in health management, Watkins played for the Chicago Redline in the Independent Basketball Association in 2012-13.  He signed with SC Rist Wedel in August 2013 after being contacted by head coach Sebastian Gleim. 

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