23: John Jenkins
With the twenty-third pick of the 2012 draft the Atlanta Hawks selected John Jenkins out of Vanderbilt University. Jenkins ranked No. 28 in HOOPSWORLD’s final consensus mock draft. Most projected Jenkins, an early draft entrant, to be a late first round to early second round pick.
The Hawks currently have just six players under contract for the 2013 season and leading up the draft team officials were adamant about finding a player who could contribute in the rotation on a nightly basis with this pick.
Jenkins figures to receive significant minutes in the rotation behind All-Star shooting guard Joe Johnson. Last season veteran guard Willie Green filled a similar role averaging 7.6 points on 47 percent shooting from the field while averaging 17.4 minutes.
Last season eight Hawks players took more than 100 three-point attempts in head coach Larry Drew’s motion offense. This should mean that Jenkins will quickly find a groove in Atlanta right from the start if given an opportunity.
In three seasons at Vanderbilt, Jenkins connected on 306 three-pointers at an impressive 44 percent clip. He finished his collegiate career making a three-pointer in 60 consecutive contests and also led the Southeastern Conference in scoring his final two seasons with the Commodores averaging 19.5 points in 2011 and 19.9 points during his final collegiate campaign.
The selection of Jenkins marks the beginning of the Danny Ferry front office era with the Hawks. Ferry was named the team’s president of basketball operations and general manager earlier this week.
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