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SALT LAKE CITY — Officially, he's known as Joshua Daquan Watkins. At least that's what it says on his birth certificate.
His mother and aunt, however, have called him "Jiggy" since he was a young kid.
"They haven't told me why," said Watkins, who is the University of Utah's starting point guard. "But I've come up some of my own ideas."
Such thought, though, isn't necessary when it comes to Watkins' nicknames on the basketball floor. They have a traceable origin, dating back to his days as a heavyset 9-year-old.
Folks on the street-ball courts in New York City dubbed him "Spin Move," "Washing Machine," and "Human Tornado." All paid tribute to his favorite move growing up.
"Since I was heavy as a little kid, the only thing I liked to do is go by somebody and then spin — jump into them and get contact," Watkins said. "The spin move followed throughout my life. I just love that move."
As a youngster, he explained, it was difficult to stop him.
"Because I was so wide, my spin was so broad that I was physical with it and nobody could get around it," Watkins continued. "So it's kind of stuck with me."
The same, however, cannot be said of the weight.
It came off around his sophomore year in high school, dropping from 200 to 165 one summer. Watkins' stamina improved and his spin move evolved into a spin-and-go.
"By the time I spin, I'm already into my next step," he said. "So it's hard to defend."
Watkins, who earned 300 basketball trophies by the time he was 10-years old, went on to become the Manhattan High School Player of the Year after averaging 25.6 points, six assists and five rebounds per game.
His next stop was Texas and the junior college ranks. As a sophomore, he led Howard College to the NJCAA national championship and was named the tournament MVP. As a result, schools like Texas Tech, Cincinnati, DePaul, Baylor and Washington State came calling. So, too, did Utah coach Jim Boylen.
"I felt he had what we were looking for — toughness, a complete guy. He's physically ready to play at this level. He has an ability to pull people in," Boylen said. "He has charisma, and he has a personality that I thought we needed on this team. He has a swagger that I felt we needed, and obviously his ability to drive the ball and play the game is pretty good."
Boylen gave Watkins a full-court press in terms of recruiting. Days after the Utes were eliminated from last year's Mountain West Conference tournament, the coach caught a flight to Texas and watched him practice.
The process led to Boylen using all seven visits and evaluations that the NCAA allows.
"We built our relationship," he said. "It came down to the end and we were the last ones standing."
Citing loyalty, Watkins acknowledged his final decision was easy. Boylen's interest won him ever. It also impressed his mother, especially after the coach made a visit to New York City to see her despite not feeling well.
"I developed a good relationship with coach Boylen since the day I met him," Watkins said, while recalling the day they met in the film room at Howard College. "He seemed real honest, and I liked that about him."
Boylen's loyalty during the recruitment process was something Watkins felt inspired to return in kind.
An opportunity to play right away was also a big factor, especially as a true point guard. In high school and junior college, Watkins was needed as a scorer as well.
Jumping into the role of starting point guard at a major college program, though, doesn't come without a variety of challenges.
"There's a lot to learn at this level, in this system, and he has never fought me on anything," said Boylen, who appreciates the "yes sir, no sir" attitude that Watkins has shown even in frustrating times.
A shoulder injury in Hawaii over Christmas hindered his development. Progress, however, has not been impeded.
"I think he's grown since then. He understands how we play. His pace of play has improved," Boylen said. "He's understanding when to take off with the ball and when to slow it up. His basketball I.Q., I think, has improved since he's been here."
Watkins is making an impact on the floor, averaging 15.3 points and 3.4 assists per game. The Utes (10-10) enter Saturday's home game against Colorado State with three straight wins.
The good times followed on the heels of a seven-game skid, the longest the Ute program had endured since the 1949-50 season.
"I knew we were going to break through, sooner of later. You've just got to play together," he said of the turnaround. "We're playing real good. Practices are very competitive. We are right where we want to be right now, and we're taking steps up."
Although it was hard because Watkins simply doesn't like to lose, his optimism has never wavered.
"The sun always comes up for him," Boylen said. "Even during our streak of losses, he was upbeat, positive and very resilient."
Watkins credits much of that to his background, specifically the tough New York neighborhood where he honed his skills. Amidst the environment, a family atmosphere was prevalent and Watkins drew inspiration from a variety of sources, including conversations with players like Rafer Alston.
"Guys get you tough and get you prepared for what you're going to face at the college level," Watkins said.
E-mail: dirk@desnews.com
