Jenkins makes most of Hoophall spotlight
At the Hoophall Classic on the campus of Springfield (Mass.) College, players from around the country have a golden opportunity to stand up and get noticed. Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga junior Kris Jenkins made the most of his opportunity on Saturday.
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Matched up with bruising 2012 four-star power forward Ricardo Gathers, the 6-foot-5, maybe 6, wide-bodied Jenkins was the best player on the floor while scoring 30 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.
He grabbed rebounds, stroked jump shots, competed and got quite a debate going about exactly what position he plays. Jenkins, though, doesn't really care how he's labeled.
"I just see myself as a basketball player," Jenkins told Rivals.com. "I'm somebody who can help my team out with anything that I'm asked to do. I can shoot, I can rebound, I can play physical and I play with my team."
Known for his ability to grind it out and natural basketball instincts, Jenkins has also developed into a very good shooter from the perimeter thanks to a lot of input from his mother Felicia.
"It comes from my mom and all the hard work that we have been putting into my shot," said Jenkins. "Anything dealing with my shot she's definitely been my trainer. She gives me confidence and tips."
A three-star prospect who is angling towards a position in the 2013 Rivals150, Jenkins says that he doesn't worry about individual accolades because he figures that will come with his team's success.
Attention from coaches has certainly fired up and he said that Xavier, Miami, LaSalle, Rutgers and Clemson were recruiting him the hardest while he's seen increased attention from Villanova, Boston College and George Washington showing increased attention.
"When coaches approach me they try to let me know how they'll help to get me in better shape and let me continue to play the way I do," said Jenkins of schools' recruiting pitches to him. "I believe that I can play multiple positions out there in college and that I can find ways to score, rebound and defend."
This summer, Jenkins says that he'll once again hit the grassroots circuit with the D.C. Assault. Outside of that, he's just trying to enjoy high school and is in no rush to make a decision.
"I think I might take a bit of time with it," said Jenkins. "I don't plan on making a decision anytime soon and really haven't put a lot of thought into it. I'm just trying to enjoy high school right now."
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