QA with Terrence Jennings

At the start of the 2005-06 season, many basketball experts and fans thought Capital Christian was going to be the team to beat with returning big man Terrence Jennings, a 6-foot-10 post and the addition of Matt Simpkins, a 6-foot-8 combo forward. However, that never happened, as Jennings left the school for Elk Grove and shortly after that, he moved to Atlanta with his father.

A year and a half later, after being reclassified in the 2008 class, Jennings is back on the scene, playing club basketball with Sacramento-based Play Hard Play Smart. We talked to the emerging national prospect about his experiences as a prep player at Mt. Zion Academy in North Carolina.

What has been up with you?

I have just been chillin' right now. I am trying to be focused for my last year in school. I am at Mt. Zion Academy, the school that Tracy McGrady went to, and I will be in the class of 2008.

What happened when you were in Sacramento?

Last year, everything went all bad. I am just trying to get all of that worked out right now at Mt. Zion.

Since that time, you have started playing some good basketball. What schools are recruiting you?

Cal, Arizona, Nebraska, Maryland, Iowa State, Oklahoma, Old Dominion and a few other schools.

What are you looking for in a school?

I want to be at school in a place that has a good location. I would prefer the West Coast as I am from Sacramento, but it really does not matter. I am also looking for a place with solid academics and a cool coach. That is it.

You mentioned Cal earlier. What do you like about Cal?

I like Cal because they seem to care. It is close to home and where I live. I like the way in which they play. They get up and down the floor a bit and they let their big guys shoot the ball. They have Ryan Anderson who is from Sac. I know him. He is like 6-10 and he shoots jumpers.

People are starting to compare you and your game with Amare Staudimere. How do you feel about that?

It feels good. I know that recently one of my best games was at the Kingwood Classic in my last game, when I had like 30 points. I had like eight or nine dunks in that game. We all played well in this tournament; me, Jarmelle Barrett and Nate Garth.

Will you be playing with PHPS for the rest of the summer?

Yes. For the rest of the summer. We are the best club team in Sacramento.