Only six teams shot worse from 3-point range this season than the Nuggets. No player in NCAA Division I made more 3s than Vanderbilt’s John Jenkins.
And so, there was Jenkins at the Pepsi Center on Thursday, again. Denver brought back the 6-foot-4 guard for a second workout and interview session.
“It’s definitely not a bad thing,” said Jenkins, who led the SEC in scoring the past two seasons. “A lot of people don’t get the opportunity to do that, so coming back is great for me. I had a great time, facilities are great, coaches are great, everything about it is something I want to be a part of.”
The Nuggets pick 20th in the first round of the NBA draft on Thursday, in addition to selections at Nos. 38 and 50. Jenkins is projected as a late first-round pick. Denver also worked out Evan Fournier of France, one of the top international players in this draft. He stands 6-7 and is only 19 years old. He’s a talented shooter from the outside but at 204 pounds, Fournier said, “I need to improve on everything, (notably) getting stronger. … I’m just trying to show that I can play tough, be strong. And I think that’s what I did today.” If a team drafts him, it’s quite possible the team could keep him overseas for a couple of seasons.
For Vanderbilt last season, Jenkins averaged 19.9 points per game and led the nation with 134 3-pointers. Vanderbilt won the SEC Tournament, and Jenkins was named tourney MVP. In 30 of the 35 games, he made three or more 3s.
Also in the gym Thursday were Temple guard Ramone Moore, Turkish center Izzet Turkyilmaz, Florida State center Xavier Gibson and Kentucky guard Doron Lamb, a sophomore who averaged 13.7 points per game last season.
Benjamin Hochman, The Denver Post
