Justin Jenkins created a Division I scholarship for himself.
Back in November, he was an unknown, off college coaches’ radar. That changed after a brilliant senior season in which he led Wings to a perfect league season and the PSAL Class AA semifinals, averaging 18 points and six assists per game. A horde of Division I mid-major coaches became intrigued by his scoring and playmaking ability and he became somewhat of a hot commodity.
“In my six years, he’s been the kid who has raised his stock the most in one year,” Wings coach Billy Turnage said.
One of them – Fairfield – made it clear of their intentions by frequenting several games and practices. And it wasn’t just an assistant here or there. Assistant Brian Nash made it clear of the Stags interest and head coach Sydney Johnson cemented it, taking an active role in Jenkins’ recruitment.
“It showed they really wanted me,” the 6-foot-2 Bronx native said. “A lot of head coaches don’t really come out. When they do, it means they’re interested.”
Jenkins rewarded their tireless effort Monday night, verbally committing to the MAAC powerhouse – as first reported by The Post – choosing Fairfield over Siena and Florida Atlantic. He will join good friend Amadou Sidibe, a 6-foot-8 power forward from Cardinal Hayes.
Jenkins took an official to Florida Atlantic last week. He liked the Sun Belt Conference school, but just not as much as Fairfield. After speaking extensively with advisor Casey Williams, Turnage and his mother Sheila, he came to a decision.
“We felt the time was right, so I decided today,” Jenkins said.
He liked everything about Fairfield, from the coaching staff to the large 10,000-seat Webster Bank Arena to the impressive recruiting class Johnson has assembled and the sprawling Connecticut campus. Fairfield’s close proximity to his Bronx home was also a factor.
“People who helped me get here can come and watch me play,” he said.
With three rising senior guards, Jenkins should be able to get the chance to play soon for the perennial MAAC contender, which has reached the conference final two of the last three years.
“By the time he’s a junior, Justin can be an all-conference player – easy,” Turnage said. “Justin’s skill set alone is incredible, but once he gets into a college weight room and puts on 10 to 15 pounds, he’s gonna be something special.”
Jenkins will become the first member of his family to go to college, and he will get the chance to go for free. His mother said he didn’t talk about it often – but it showed in his actions, by all the time he put in on the court and in the classroom.
“It’s exciting, it’s overwhelming,” Sheila Jenkins said. “I am really proud of him – really, really proud of him.”
Jenkins said: “I started a new trend in my family.”
Jenkins said he was motivated to be the first person from his family to go to college. He wanted to use basketball as a way to gain an education and then a good job if basketball doesn’t work out to support his family.
At this time last year, he wasn’t sure it was possible. He had an up-and-down summer on the AAU circuit with the Juice All-Stars, but was one of the city’s top guards this year. He nearly guided Wings to Madison Square Garden for the PSAL Class AA Final, posting 23 points and 10 assists in a devastating semifinal loss to Thomas Jefferson.
“Now I’m ready to go to college and play basketball on the next level,” he said. “A lot of people don’t have that chance. It feels good right now. I made a name for myself.”