September 17, 2025

One year, two surgeries and only seven games played. In her first year at Drexel, Mariah Watkins went through a lot and experienced many ups and downs.

Watkins immediately had a good feeling when she spoke to Drexel University about continuing her basketball career. The Dragons believed in her. Even when battling with a knee injury, shortly before coming to college, this didn’t change. “The coaches were amazing, and it felt like they truly cared about me. It felt like a family as soon as I got to the campus,” Watkins said.

Watkins worked hard and dedicated endless hours to finally be back on the court. In December 2024, after months of not being able to do what she loves the most, Watkins appeared in her first college basketball game.

However, the joy of the comeback was short-lived. After only seven games, Watkins experienced another setback and reinjured the same knee. She missed the remaining 13 games of the season after undergoing another necessary surgery.

“Athletically, it was a tough first year for me. But going through all of this, I think I was able to learn a lot this year. Rehab made me stronger, physically but also mentally,” Watkins said.

It was an eye-opening experience for Watkins seeing how quickly her athletic career could be over, she said. At the same time, she realized how important it was to work on her degree to build a future after college.

Watkins is a student in the College of Nursing and Health Professions, where she majors in health sciences. She has always wanted to help people. However, after finishing high school and applying for universities, she wasn’t exactly sure what to do in the future.

Majoring in health sciences offered her the flexibility she was looking for.

“I would say that health science is more like an all-around baseline major. You get to cover different aspects of multiple fields like PT or PA ... and you kind of get to pick where you want to end up,” Watkins said.

When looking for universities, basketball was her main priority, and Watkins knew Drexel was the right place after she saw the school with her own eyes.

“CNHP played a big part in my decision to go to Drexel. During one of my visits, I toured the Health Science Building, and I was just amazed by it. The resources here are just incredible,” she said.

Although the first year at Drexel felt like a roller-coaster ride for Watkins, having to deal with injuries and figuring out college life, she still enjoyed her experience and always felt the support of faculty, staff and students.

“Being an athlete and having to balance out the practices, classes, homework and exams was tough to deal with at first, but there are so many resources offered to help with that, and the professors are very accommodating to our sports schedules,” she said.

Going into her second year, a lot has changed for Watkins. This summer, she returned to practice and feels fully healthy again. Watkins is ready for the fall basketball season, but she’s not alone. Her one-year younger sister, Bria, joined Drexel University for the upcoming fall season.

Both played together for the Webster-Schroeder High School basketball team in Rochester, New York and are on the court together again. Although both play at the same position and are technically competitors, Watkins only sees the motivational aspect of this situation.

“There has been competition between us since we were kids, but it only made us better. It just gives us more of a competitive edge,” she said.

Watkins couldn’t be more excited to start the fall. She wants to get after it. On the court and in the classroom.

Story and photography by Raphael Bartell, communications '27