Levi Watkins started his path to coaching while playing at NC State

As a player, Levi Watkins never really got to reveal how much he could have helped Herb Sendek’s program when he arrived as part of the Wolfpack’s most acclaimed freshman class of the last half century.

That’s because early in his first season, just as he was starting to make an impact with Julius Hodge, Josh Powell, Jordan Collins and Ilian Evtimov, Watkins suffered a torn anterior cruciate knee ligament in the Wolfpack’s ACC opener against Maryland that bothered him throughout his four-year career.

Always quiet but observant, Watkins spent a significant portion of his career learning the game and setting an example, so much so that Sendek once called him “a real bedrock in terms of doing the right things, being a great leader and having the right work ethic.”

The day before the senior class was introduced at the 2004-05 home finale, Sendek praised the 6-8 forward from Rockville, Maryland, seemingly knowing that Watkins had coaching in his future.

“He has carried forth a set of values that reflect on how we want to be represented as a basketball program,” Sendek said. “I know it has been very difficult on a personal level, but he hasn’t allowed that to get in the way of what he can contribute as a leader and the value he can add to our basketball program.”

Shortly after Watkins’ career ended and he received his degree in business management, Sendek put him on the basketball staff as an administrative intern and eventually staff video coordinator. Watkins remained on staff when Sidney Lowe replaced Sendek and was eventually elevated to director of operations, a position he held for four seasons.

Watkins lit out as a full-time assistant in 2013 when he was hired to be part of former Duke point guard Bobby Hurley’s staff at Buffalo. After two years, he followed Hurley to Arizona State, then took a job as an assistant at Ole Miss four years ago.

Through his coaching career, Watkins has developed a good reputation among his peers as a strong recruiter and instructor of post players.

So earlier this week, it was welcome news for many Wolfpack fans when current head coach Kevin Keatts hired Watkins for one of the two open positions on the staff. It was the opportunity to make a strong tie to a homegrown talent who was part of four NCAA Championships appearances during his career.

“Levi has a great basketball mind,” Keatts said. “He’s helped the last three programs he’s been with to the NCAA tournament.

“He’s going to bring enthusiasm and excitement to our program.”

The freshman class Watkins was part of certainly did that some 20 years ago, breaking the Wolfpack’s 10-year NCAA tournament drought and taking the Wolfpack to five consecutive NCAA bids. His inaugural season ended with the knee injury, but Watkins worked hard to come back stronger as a sophomore. He contributed throughout the season until a groin injury sidelined him in the postseason. As a junior, he missed time with a leg muscle pull.

He was always ready, however, when called on as Sendek’s sixth man to contribute accurate 3-point shooting and rebounding on both ends of the court.

He started the team’s first 12 games as a senior, but was benched by a stomach bug in December that seemed to linger just long enough for Andrew Brackman, Gavin Grant and Cedric Simmons to pass him for playing time.

In a February game against Clemson, Watkins suffered knee sprain that put him on the bench for six straight games. He was able to start in the regular-season finale against Wake Forest, as part of the team’s Senior Night, but never returned to his previous effectiveness, getting just 12 points and two rebounds in the final eight games of his career.

“Levi, even though he has some injury problems this year, he has always been a hard worker,” Hodge said of his classmate.

Watkins found ways to contribute as a senior leader, by always being willing to work hard, even when he was injured, whether with instruction in practice or by example in the weight room.

Those are all attributes that Keatts will rely on as he welcomes both an adjusted coaching staff and a revamped roster to camp next fall.

Tim Peeler is a regular contributor to the Wolfpacker and can be reached at [email protected].

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