Jenkins signs with Vandy

NASHVILLE - Head coach Kevin Stallings announced Wednesday that guard John Jenkins, from Gallatin, Tenn., has signed a National Letter of Intent to attend Vanderbilt and play basketball for the Commodores beginning in the fall of 2009.

“Even though John has been committed to us for a long time, we are very excited to officially welcome him to the Vanderbilt basketball family,” said Vanderbilt head coach Kevin Stallings. “We have been so impressed with John and his family and what great people they are. We wish him the best during his senior season, and we look forward to seeing him on the court next fall.”

Jenkins, a 6'4 guard from Gallatin, Tenn. and a member of the Station Camp High School Basketball team, averaged 21 points per game as a sophomore and 30.9 points per contest as a junior, and was named the Class AA Mr. Basketball for the state of Tennessee in March of 2008 after his junior season at Station Camp. He is a consensus top 40 player in most national recruiting databases and is ranked as the eighth-best shooting guard in the nation by ESPN.com. He was also a Nike Chosen Ones selection, an honor that goes to the nation’s top 50 players, regardless of class.

Jenkins shot 48% from three as a junior, and converted on 81% of his free throws, and in his three-year high school career, he has amassed 1,964 career points. He has been a three-time first team All-District 8AA selection, and a two time All-Region 4 AA pick.

Jenkins also participated in the 16th Annual NBA Players Association Top 100 Camp in Charlottesville, Va., over the summer, and saw his stock rise with his outstanding shooting performances against some of the nation’s top college prospects. He led the camp in scoring at 17.8 points per game.

"It's a dream come true to be able to play Division I basketball,” said Jenkins. “I can't say all the positives about Vanderbilt, there are so many. It's a great education, great coaches, great players, the fans are great, and to be right at home is really good."

The 6’4 guard chose Vanderbilt over Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi State, and Tennessee.