Charles Jenkins recently came closer to home and it came in mid-February.
Last year, in his first in the National Basketball Association, Jenkins played in 51 National Basketball Association games averaging 5.8 points, 3.3 assists, and almost 17 minutes a game. He played in 47 contests during this present season all with the Golden State Warriors, coached by New Yorker Mark Jackson.
The Philadelphia 76ers acquired Jenkins last month and he was glad to be back East. His fans came to the game when they played the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Unfortunately, his coach Doug Collins did not use him as he sat and got ready and accustomed to the 76ers’ system.
The 6’3” guard, who is fast, has plenty of speed, certainly makes a team ‘go,’ runs the show from the backcourt position and feeds his teammates. He demonstrated all this with the Golden State Warriors last year when his strength being all phases of his game at the guard position.
Jenkins grew up in New York City, played his high school ball at Springfield Gardens, a member of the Public Schools system, and continued to blossom out this time with Hofstra University during his college days when the Pride turned in some real good teams.
Jenkins became its career top scorer at Hofstra with 2513 points and was chosen twice as the Colonial Athletic Association Player-of-the-Year in his junior and senior campaigns.
Now with him in Philadelphia, the journey from his south Jamaica home to Pennsylvania is a quick train ride or a drive down the highways through New Jersey, and into Pennsylvania. His fans can always see him in action in Philadelphia and when they visit the New York area’s Madison Square Garden and/or Barclays Center when they come into Manhattan or Brooklyn.
“It’s always good to play in front of family and friends, and be back closer to home,” the reserve backcourt player said before a recent contest at Madison Square Garden. “While growing up, my favorite player was Pearl Washington. I always wanted to play the same way he did. I try to pattern my game after him.”
Jenkins is on a young 76er team with five players having seven or more years of experience in the NBA ahead of him and six guards on the squad. He’ll get his time when need be.
Charles’ father plans to make the trip to Philadelphia for some contests during the stretch drive. Of course, the youngster would like to see more playing time but knows that there are other guards ahead of him.
A favorite here in New York while he was in college, Jenkins still follows Hofstra’s very disappointing team and season when time permits.
“Hofstra has been struggling,” he said. “They are in a rebuilding stage.”
The addition of Jenkins strengthens the backcourt for the Philadelphia 76ers so far also having a disappointing season and not even in the race for the Division title.
AP Photo/H. Rumph Jr.
