Sports
Talking With: Varsity Hoopster Nahari Jenkins
Patch spent time talking with Nahari Jenkins about his love for basketball, his academic interests and how his team is doing this season.
So here’s the inside scoop on Babylon’s star guard Nahari Jenkins, whose sensational junior season has helped put the Panthers (4-3 in League VII) within two wins of clinching a playoff spot in what is regarded as one of the most competitive varsity basketball leagues in Suffolk County.
Jenkins, one of the top scorers on Long Island, has averaged better than 26 points per game this season, including a career-high 35 points in Babylon’s 65-59 win over Wyandanch on January 18.
Jenkins, who is no slouch when it comes to academics as he carries an 81 grade point average, spoke with Patch moments after the Panthers breezy 61-42 home victory against Mercy.
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So who are your favorite NBA and college basketball players?
“I like Kobe Bryant and my new favorite college player is Jimmer Fredette of BYU. I like the way he scores, he may not be the most athletic, but he gets it done.”
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“Who got you interested in playing basketball?”
“I just remember watching Michael Jordan on television and wanting to do what he did. I wanted to be athletic and do something with my life.”
“How often do you practice?”
“I always get on the court anytime I can.”
“What are some of your goals over the next few years?”
“Well, playing basketball obviously, but if the basketball thing doesn’t work out, I’d love to come back to Babylon and be a coach. I’d like to do something to help the kids here.”
“If you had one wish, what would it be?”
“It would have to be winning the state championship, before I leave.”
“How do you feel you and your new teammates have performed up to this point in the season?
“It takes a long time…we’re not like last season’s team, but I think we’re doing pretty good for our first year together. I like it.”
“Who are some of your role models in life?”
“Definitely my mom and my dad as well as the coaching staff here at Babylon. I have always liked the way they’ve conducted themselves and how they run their program.”
“If you could be anything in life, what would it be?”
“Wow, that’s a hard question. I think I’d be a coach and try to lead kids in the right direction in life.”
“What’s your favorite school subject?”
“U.S. history. For some reason, it’s the easiest [for me] and I have a 96 average right now.”
“What’s the one aspect of your [basketball] game that you can improve upon the most?”
“I’d easily say my jump shots. We had a bad game against Southampton last week and they played zone [defense] on us. My jump shots were horrible that game, so it’s something I have to continue to work on."
