Hofstra's Jenkins drafted by Warriors

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Golden State wasn’t one of a dozen NBA teams to host Charles Jenkins in a private workout leading up to the June 23 draft, but Warriors general manager Larry Riley said there was no debate when Hofstra’s all-time leading scorer and two-time Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year was available at pick No. 44.

“We were a little surprised and really pleased he was still on the board,” Riley said. “Charles has good size for a point guard and has shown he can get to the basket and score. He’s going to have an opportunity here.”

Jenkins, a 6-foot-3 combo guard who ranked sixth in the nation in scoring (22.6 points per game) and led the Pride to 21 wins and a second-place finish in the CAA as a senior, watched the draft unfold from the W Hotel in Manhattan with family and friends. Soon before seeing his name scroll along the bottom of ESPN’s telecast, Jenkins received a text message from former Hofstra star Speedy Claxton, who is a scout with Golden State.

“There were a lot of emotions going on that night and it was a relief to have my name called,” said Jenkins, who finished his college career with 2,513 points, second in CAA history to David Robinson of Navy. “I didn’t expect to drop that far, but I’m blessed to be one of 60 players drafted,” he added. 

Jenkins, who worked out for the champion Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs, to name a few, became the first Hofstra player chosen in the NBA Draft since Claxton was a first-round pick of the Philadelphia 76ers in 2000. Claxton, who spent seven seasons in the league and won a title with the Spurs, had input on the selection of Jenkins, Riley said.

“Speedy recommended him highly,” Riley said.

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