Jenkins to enter NBA draft

Vanderbilt guard John Jenkins has decided to forgo his final year of eligibility at Vanderbilt, will hire an agent, and enter the NBA Draft. The NBA Draft will take place on Thursday, June 28.

“I’m very happy for John as he has chosen this opportunity to pursue his professional career,” said Vanderbilt Head Coach Kevin Stallings. “This is something that he wants to do and has his family’s blessing. My role has been to accumulate information on where he might be drafted. I have given that information to John and his parents, and this is the decision they have made.

“We thank John for his incredible contributions over the last three years and wish him a long and prosperous professional career.”

“This was a very difficult decision for my family and I to make, but I am ready to dedicate myself fully to achieving my dream of playing in the NBA,” said Jenkins. “The last three years have been the time of my life, and I will always cherish my time at Vanderbilt and the relationships I have made along the way.”

Jenkins, who led the SEC in scoring for the last two seasons, will leave the Commodores as one of the program’s best sharp shooters from beyond-the-arc and one of Vanderbilt’s most decorated players.

Jenkins, a Hendersonville, Tenn., native, was an All-SEC first-team selection in 2011 and 2012, and was named an honorable mention All-American in 2011 and a third-team member in 2012 by the Associated Press. He made 134 three pointers as a junior, which tied the SEC single-season record and Vanderbilt single-season record held by former Commodore great Shan Foster, who accomplished the feat in 2008. He also scored 696 points in 2012, second only to Billy McCaffrey’s 699 points he tallied in the 1992-93 season.

“I would like to thank my teammates, who provided me with so many opportunities to be successful and memories that I will never forget, and Coach Stallings and his staff, for preparing me for what lies ahead. I look forward to applying what he has taught me in the next phase of my basketball journey.

“I am also very appreciative of my family and friends, who have been with me since day one here at Vanderbilt.

“I also would like to thank Commodore fans. It has been a blessing to play at Memorial Gym for the last three years and those experiences will be ones that I will always remember. The fans that fill Memorial Gym every night really help make Vanderbilt a special place, and leaving them is the hardest part about this decision.”

Jenkins will depart with a total of 1,660 points, which is currently 10th on Vanderbilt’s all-time list, and 306 career three-pointers, which is second on the Commodores’ all-time list.

“Although I am giving up my final year of eligibility, I will continue to pursue my degree at Vanderbilt. I love this university and will always be a Commodore.”Follow @VandyManiacom