WVU G Amir Jenkins Explains Reclassifying, Emotions Entering Season

The first game of the WVU basketball season is set for Tuesday, but freshman guard Amir Jenkins’ first game is coming earlier than anticipated, as he reclassified from the class of 2027 to come to WVU this year.

In a press conference on Monday, Jenkins detailed the “great opportunity” and what led to him deciding to take it.

“One day Coach [Ross] Hodge, uh, hopped on a call with me, gave me a scholarship to play here, and they was looking for another point guard. So, I just really just didn’t pass up on a great opportunity,” Jenkins said.

“I came on a visit. Uh, it was very welcoming. Everybody was welcoming. Um, I heard about West Virginia’s fan base and everyone around it, so everyone was just welcoming. It’s a great place to be.”

Jenkins was named the 2023-24 Massachusetts MaxPreps Player of the Year, leading North Worcester High School to a 24-0 record and a Division 1 state championship. He averaged 13.6 points, four rebounds, four assists and 2.6 steals per game.

After a stellar high school career, Jenkins said he and his family felt he was ready for the next step.

“I kind of thought I was ready and I feel like the coaching staff really believed in me and I really believed in them, so it was just as a point of just me and my parents just making a decision just to come to West Virginia because we thought it was the right place for me,” Jenkins said.

Hodge has made his defensive mindset well-known to WVU fans, which became the most significant adjustment for Jenkins to make to his game.

“I’d say the most adjustment for me was probably on defense, different ball coverages, but I’ve, I’ll say it works great. So we’ve just been getting that together and it’s going very well,” said Jenkins.

Jenkins is one of four true freshmen on this year’s team alongside seven players in their final year of eligibility. After an entire offseason of training together, Jenkins said he’s received positive feedback from his more experienced teammates.

“Some of the advice the older guys have given me is just keep going. Uh, there’s gonna be, obviously as a freshman, there’s some bumps and stuff that I’m going through, but they just really been positive,” Jenkins said. “Just telling me, keep going, keep shooting, keep playing, keep working on my game, and it’s all gonnapay off at the end.”

The Mountaineers tip off at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Hope Coliseum against Mount St. Mary’s.

Find more coverage of Amir Jenkins and WVU basketball at WV Sports Now.