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| Kris Jenkins | |
|---|---|
| Name | Kris Jenkins |
| Caption | Jenkins in 2016 |
| Position | Small forward / Power forward |
| Weight lb | 254 |
| Birth date | 9 May 1993 |
| Birth place | Newark, New Jersey, U.S. |
| High school | Don Bosco Preparatory (Ramsey, New Jersey) |
| College | Villanova (2012–2017) |
| Draft year | 2017 |
| Career start | 2017 |
| Teams | * Detroit Pistons (2017–2018) * Salt Lake City Stars (2018) * Greensboro Swarm (2018–2019) * Long Island Nets (2019–2020) * Maine Celtics (2021–2022) |
| Highlights | * NCAA champion (2016) * Big East All-Freshman Team (2013) |
Kris Jenkins (born May 9, 1993) is an American professional basketball player known for his collegiate heroics and international club career. He rose to prominence at Villanova University, where a game-winning shot in the 2016 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament semifinals propelled his profile in the NCAA and led to a professional career spanning the NBA and the G League. Jenkins has since played for multiple developmental and overseas squads while remaining connected to basketball development programs.
Born in Newark, New Jersey, Jenkins grew up in a family with deep ties to basketball and athletics in the New Jersey region. He attended Don Bosco Preparatory High School in Ramsey, New Jersey, where he played under coach Chris Sienko and competed against regional powerhouses such as St. Anthony and Seton Hall Preparatory School. As a high school senior he earned recognition in state and national circuits, participating in events associated with Nike and Adidas grassroots circuits and attracting scholarship offers from programs including Villanova University, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Duke University. Scouts from ESPN, Rivals.com, and 247Sports rated him among the top recruits in New Jersey.
Jenkins enrolled at Villanova University and joined the Villanova Wildcats men's basketball program under head coach Jay Wright. He redshirted part of his early eligibility and contributed from the wing as the Wildcats competed in the Big East Conference and in NCAA tournament play. Jenkins developed alongside teammates such as Ryan Arcidiacono, Derrick Williams, and later Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson, helping Villanova to deep tournament runs. His most notable collegiate moment came during the 2016 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, when he hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer that clinched a Final Four berth against North Carolina—a play widely replayed on broadcasts by ESPN, CBS Sports, and Fox Sports. Jenkins returned for a fifth year as a graduate student, balancing postgraduate coursework with athletics before declaring for professional opportunities.
After college Jenkins entered the 2017 professional landscape, participating in workouts for NBA Draft hopefuls and joining summer league rosters. He signed a two-way contract with the Detroit Pistons organization and spent time with the Pistons' G League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Drive. Subsequent seasons included G League stints with the Salt Lake City Stars, Greensboro Swarm, Long Island Nets, and Maine Celtics, as well as short-term contracts and tryouts overseas in Europe and Latin America leagues. Throughout his professional journey he competed against prospects linked to franchises such as the Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, and Charlotte Hornets, and took part in developmental showcases organized by the NBA G League Ignite and international tournaments overseen by FIBA. Injuries and roster churn affected continuity, but Jenkins remained active in professional circuits through the early 2020s.
Jenkins is a wing player whose skill set includes three-point shooting, perimeter spacing, and positional physicality suited to both small forward and power forward roles. Analysts from The Athletic, Bleacher Report, and Sports Illustrated noted his clutch shooting, defensive versatility, and rebounding instincts developed at Villanova under Jay Wright's system. Key achievements include the 2016 NCAA championship run by Villanova (team honors), multiple conference recognitions during his collegiate tenure, and statistical contributions in scoring and rebounding across G League seasons. His 2016 buzzer-beater is often cited alongside memorable NCAA tournament shots such as those by Christian Laettner, Kenny Anderson, and Tyus Edney.
Jenkins comes from an athletic family: his father, Craig Jenkins, and relatives were involved in basketball and community programs in New Jersey. He has been active in charitable initiatives connected to youth sports, offseason clinics, and community outreach coordinated with organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and regional basketball academies. Jenkins has pursued interests outside of basketball including mentoring, entrepreneurship in sports training, and occasional media appearances on platforms run by Barstool Sports and regional sports networks.
Jenkins' legacy is anchored by his dramatic NCAA tournament moment and his role in the Villanova program's sustained success in the Big East Conference. He is frequently referenced in retrospectives by ESPN and CBS Sports about tournament game-winners and clutch performers. Honors tied to his career include conference recognitions, postseason accolades with Villanova, and inclusion in highlight packages preserving the 2016 tournament's memorable plays. His impact continues through coaching clinics, coaching staffs at prep programs, and alumni events hosted by Villanova University.
Category:1993 births Category:Living people Category:Villanova Wildcats men's basketball players Category:Basketball players from New Jersey