Former St. John’s star point guard Daniss Jenkins made his professional basketball debut last night and made the most of his opportunity.
After not being selected in the 2024 NBA Draft, Jenkins signed a two-way deal with the Detroit Pistons. This means he will have the opportunity to earn his place in the NBA by splitting time with the Pistons and their G League affiliate, the Motor City Cruise.
“All I needed was somebody to give me a chance,” Jenkins told Zach Braziller of the New York Post. “That’s all I ever needed, somebody to believe in me. See that vision.” After 12 workouts with NBA teams, the Pistons were willing to give him that chance.
In their first game in the NBA Summer League, the Pistons lost 94-81 to the Philadelphia 76ers. However, Jenkins made the most of his minutes coming off the bench and even had Pistons fans excited about his prospects with the organization.
“(Daniss) Jenkins looks nice” and “He’s got some game” were common sentiments from Pistons fans found on social media.
Game 1 Performance
Daniss Jenkins showcased all the qualities that made him a fan favorite in Queens. Dynamic off the bounce yet always in control. Dishing assists while penetrating or seemingly floating through the air. And his patented pull-up jumper, which at times felt automatic as a member of the Red Storm, is still as smooth as ever. This all contributed to a stat line of 10 points, 5 assists, and 1 rebound on 44% shooting from the field.
But what was just as impressive was Jenkins’ tenacity on defense. In 25 minutes on the floor, Jenkins had active hands that led to 3 steals, a block on a 3-pointer, and was reliable on-ball.
Jenkins’ Journey to the NBA
There were plenty of stops along Daniss Jenkins’ journey to the NBA. He got the chance to play for hall of fame coach Rick Pitino at Iona after starting his college career at Pacific and junior college. Subsequently, Jenkins followed Coach Pitino to St. John’s, where he established himself as a household name in college basketball.
In his only season at St. John’s, Jenkins averaged a team-high 14.9 points per game to go with 5.4 assists. He was a microwave scorer and continued to improve as the season went on. As a result, he led St. John’s to the semifinals of the Big East Tournament and was named to the All-Big East 2nd team.
Looking Ahead
It will be a challenging season for Daniss Jenkins as he aims to solidify his place in the NBA. With that said, Jenkins work ethic, desire to constantly improve, and tutelage from hall of famer Rick Pitino makes him a player worth the gamble. The Detroit Pistons evidently agree.
“They’re (the Pistons) looking for guys who can come in and change the culture, and I’m a perfect guy for that type of stuff. I’m about the right stuff. I’m ready to come in and contribute and be a great piece for whatever they’re trying to build over there,” Jenkins stated to Braziller and the New York Post.
Here is the Pistons remaining schedule in the NBA Summer League:
- Monday July 15 vs. Houston Rockets, 6:30 p.m. ET on NBATV
- Tuesday July 16 vs. Chicago Bulls, 6:30 p.m. ET on NBATV
- Friday July 19 vs. New York Knicks, 7 p.m. ET on ESPN
