Graduate transfer posts career-best scoring, rebounding
By: Paul Coro
Doobie, doobie, doo.
Lorenzo Jenkins' collegiate basketball career is hitting the slow fade, just like in the song that gave him his nickname, "Doobie."
Jenkins' mother, Barbara, was a Frank Sinatra fan and sang the close of "Strangers in the Night" to Jenkins when he was a baby. It stuck and quickly became familiar in his one year as a graduate transfer for Grand Canyon, where he is having the best production and best time of his three-college, five-year journey.
Jenkins, who will play his final GCU home game Saturday night against CSU Bakersfield, started college at Arkansas, sat out a redshirt season, played for Colorado State for two years, graduated and transferred to GCU for his senior season and pursuit of a master's degree in Leadership. Lorenzo Jenkins
Primarily used as one of the Lopes' two key subs, Jenkins is averaging career highs for points per game (7.8) and rebounds per game (3.1) while shooting a career-best 43.8% from the field. He has been integral as a skilled 6-foot-7 power forward for a GCU team lacking size and depth.
"I'm just extremely grateful for everything, but especially the opportunity GCU gave me," Jenkins said. "Everybody welcomed me with open arms here. I've loved my time here at GCU.
"Grand Canyon is more of a family atmosphere. It feels like everyone supports each other. If I had to rank them, I would definitely choose Grand Canyon as my top school that I've been at."
Jenkins said he benefited from being a more mature player when he joined GCU last summer. He bonded with roommate Isiah Brown and said the Lopes became a close-knit team despite only having two players who played last season for GCU.
"You build a mental toughness as a college athlete," Jenkins said. "It's a grind and there's a lot you have to deal with."
Jenkins' finest moment came Feb. 8 at California Baptist, where he entered the game early because center Alessandro Lever went to the bench with two fouls after 3:08 of play. Jenkins scored 17 points in the first half and matched his career high of 20 points for a 103-98 win.
Jenkins logged seven of his top 10 career scoring performances in his one GCU season.
He has been at his best in GCU Arena, where he returns for Senior Night with 46% shooting from the field and 84% shooting from the free throw line.
"You don't know if you're going to get an atmosphere like this and chances are you won't unless you're playing at the highest level," Jenkins said. "This was the craziest atmosphere I've ever played in or experienced. It was fun. The fans have your back regardless. That's the No. 1 thing I take away from here. When things weren't going right or when they were going great, they were going to ride with you regardless, show up and give you their support. You start losing games and fans stop showing up at a lot of schools. There's a select few schools that will support you all the way through and this is one of them."
GCU Men's Basketball vs. Fresno State - Postgame Radio with Bryce DrewGCU Men's Basketball vs. Fresno State - Postgame Radio with Bryce Drew
Wednesday, March 11
GCU Men's Basketball vs. Fresno State - Postgame Radio with Brian Moore Jr.GCU Men's Basketball vs. Fresno State - Postgame Radio with Brian Moore Jr.
Wednesday, March 11
What's Ahead for the Mountain West Tournament?What's Ahead for the Mountain West Tournament?
Monday, March 09
GCU Men's Basketball vs. Fresno State - Postgame with Dusty Stromer, Brian Moore Jr.GCU Men's Basketball vs. Fresno State - Postgame with Dusty Stromer, Brian Moore Jr.
