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going to be way better, way faster and way bigger than last year. I'm actually going to be able to fight with these guys and not just get pushed around," Watkins said. "I know I'm a physical person. That's how I was born to play. Anything you want, you've got to go get it. So if you're out there playing soft, you're not going to get it because somebody out there is going to be tougher than you and they're going to bully you. So in my mind, I've got to be the toughest guy on the court." That mentality has been one of the hall- marks of his basketball career, dating back to his days as a prep standout. He was able to impose his will on opponents at the high school level, but it remains to be seen whether he will have the same success against Big Ten competition. At this point, he's not worrying about that. He is focused on playing to the best of his ability, not dwelling on the caliber of the opposition. Said Watkins, "As long as I know I'm playing my best, I'm not going to worry about anybody. And I don't let anybody push me around or bully me. "Now that I'm stronger, I really don't get bullied. If you're soft, I'm getting a bucket on you in the paint because I'm an aggressive player. If you don't like aggres- sive players, it's going to be an automatic bucket. If you aren't ready to play physi- cal basketball, you aren't ready to play Penn State." While he was sitting out, Watkins channeled his energy into Penn State's practice sessions. Calling the adjustment from high school to college "mind blow- ing," he realized he would need to stay fo- cused every day if he was going to maintain his skills and athleticism while inactive. So he did just that, regularly winning in-practice sprints against all of his teammates and consistently challeng- ing the Nittany Lions' other big men. Meanwhile, he was also making strides in the classroom. He had bounced from school to school as a prep player, but at Penn State, his commitment to academ- ics thoroughly impressed his head coach. "He's really maturing as a basketball player and as a man. He really is exceed- ing expectations to this point," Chambers said. "And I think that the year sitting out was really a blessing. It's really helped him in every facet of his life – academi- cally, socially, athletically. The kid loves to be a part of everything. He's got a big, beautiful smile that lights up a room, so that's the type of juice that we're going to need throughout the season." Watkins is looking to bring that enthu- siasm both to practices and games. The excitement has been building for a year now, and he's eager to get his playing ca- reer under way. "I was going through a lot, but now the year is getting closer and I'm able to play and I'm cleared to play and I'm working out to the best of my abilities," he said. "I'm a little nervous because I've never played at this level before. "I just go to sleep and wake up hoping it's November. Right now we're just going through workouts and condition- ing, getting us prepared for the Big Ten. We've got a tough schedule this year, so I'm just getting prepared for it and wait- ing on it." ■ NO NAME POS YR HT WT HOME SCHOOL 0 Payton Banks F Jr. 6-6 223 Orange, Calif. Lutheran 1 Deividas Zemgulis F So. 6-6 220 Kaunas, Lithuania St. Mary Ryken (Md.) 4 Nazeer Bostick G Fr. 6-4 187 Philadelphia, Pa. Roman Catholic 5 Terrence Samuel G Jr. 6-3 208 Brooklyn, N.Y. Victory Collegiate 10 Tony Carr G Fr. 6-3 198 Philadelphia, Pa. Roman Catholic 11 Lamar Stevens F Fr. 6-7 218 Jenkintown, Pa. Roman Catholic 20 Alex Zhao F So. 6-6 220 Shenyang, China Bishop O'Dowd (Calif.) 21 Isaiah Washington G So. 6-2 163 Williamsport, Pa. Williamsport 22 Grant Hazle F Fr. 6-5 192 Kingwood, Texas Westbury Christian 23 Josh Reaves G So. 6-4 210 Fairfax, Va. Oak Hill Academy (Va.) 24 Mike Watkins F R-Fr. 6-9 246 Philadelphia, Pa. Phelps School 32 Satchel Pierce F Jr. 7-0 258 Barberton, Ohio Kiski School (Pa.) 33 Shep Garner G Jr. 6-2 187 Chester, Pa. Roman Catholic 44 Julian Moore F Jr. 6-10 235 Philadelphia, Pa. Germantown Academy 2 0 1 6 - 1 7 R O S T E R

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