Sophomores Kris Jenkins and Darryl Reynolds have been competing with Global Sports Academy these past few days. They, along with nine other college athletes, played in a 5-game contest against various international talents.
As you recall, Jenkins and Reynolds had freshman years to forget, averaging 4.1 and 0.3 PPG respectively. Both of these outputs came on little playing time. This tour could definitely boost the confidence and prowess of these two, and Kris Jenkins has taken full advantage. In the game vs. Alsavin Belgrade, Jenkins was the leading scorer.
#GSABaldwin won Alsavin Belgrade 96-69. Scoring leaders were #KrisJenkins with 20, #GerogeMarshall w/15, #TreHarris with 10, #Taphorn w/ 9
— GlobalSportsAcademy (@GlobalSports_US) August 16, 2014
That was no fluke. Kris commanded the offense through the first three games.
In 3 games, leading scorers for #GSABALDWIN are #KrisJenkins at 20.3 ppg, #GeorgeMarshall at 11.3 ppg, and #NateTaphorn at 9.6 ppg.
— GlobalSportsAcademy (@GlobalSports_US) August 16, 2014
#GSABaldwin Kris @bigticket2 Jenkins is highly efficient on the offensive end. Really concentrating on defensive end to round out game.
— GlobalSportsAcademy (@GlobalSports_US) August 16, 2014
Their head coach is Patrick Baldwin of the Northwestern Wildcats. Throughout the week, he repeatedly admired the Jenkins' performance.
kris @bigticket2 Jenkins laid in the weeds and silently laid Rhein Stars to rest with a quiet 29 points. #GSABALDWIN
— Patrick Baldwin (@NUBaldwin23) August 17, 2014
PLAY OF THE NIGHT. Off. rebound and kick out by Ben Moore, reversal by George Marshall, & dagger 3 by @bigticket2. pic.twitter.com/k9dwu3n18A
— Patrick Baldwin (@NUBaldwin23) August 18, 2014
Back at home, teammate Josh Hart had some fun in cheering the fellow sophomore on.
"@NovaMBB: @bigticket2 going to the rim strong playing for @GlobalSports_US pic.twitter.com/E3Uh1RZasV"
— Josh Hart (@LionHARTed3) August 16, 2014
Coach Wright also displayed support from back in the States.
Proud of @Darryl_XIV and @bigticket2 as the compete for @GlobalSports_US. Currently undefeated on their European tour pic.twitter.com/YkD529FBQs
— Jay Wright (@VUCoachJWright) August 16, 2014
It is very encouraging to see the growth of Jenkins in these few games. Both he and Darryl will most likely see a bump in minutes from last year and Jenkins' stellar performance gives everyone more trust in that promotion. Near season's end, Jenkins found a groove shooting 65% from beyond the arc, albeit only 14 attempts. He has shown the potential to be a major offensive spark off the bench in the 2014-2015 season.
No info has been released on Darryl Reynolds' performance in the Global Sports Academy.
Gonna miss these dudes man #GSABaldwin
— Darryl 1⃣4⃣ Reynolds (@Darryl_XIV) August 18, 2014