BASKETBALL

SHS international student a quick study

Jed Blackwell, jed.blackwell@shj.com
Spartanburg High's Sean Jenkins prepares to shoot a free throw during Tuesday night's game against Laurens. Jenkins came to Spartanburg from Ireland, where he's a member of the junion natinal team. [LELAND A. OUTZ/FOR THE SPARTANBURG HERALD-JOURNAL]

Sean Jenkins’ ultimate destination is Division I college basketball.

His route has brought him halfway around the world.

Jenkins, who was born in Ireland and plays for the Irish Junior National team and successful club teams, moved to Spartanburg, where he spends summers with his father’s family, in order to pursue his dreams.

“I always wanted to play high school basketball and this is just an ideal option,” said Jenkins, a junior. “My dad’s whole family is here in Spartanburg. I’m over here for two years and hopefully I’ll get a Division I scholarship.”

Jenkins said the system for high school athletics is much different in Ireland.

“The school team isn’t as serious as the club team,” he said. “The club team would be closer to high school basketball.”

Jenkins said he couldn’t ask for a better welcome from the Vikings.

“It’s been great,” he said. “Everybody has welcomed me with open arms. It’s just been a great experience.”

Spartanburg coach Fred Ford was happy to see the team embrace Jenkins.

“They tease him a bit in the weight room because he is still uncoordinated attempting to stretch, but he makes up for it in seventh period during shooting drills,” Ford joked. “I had the pleasure of watching Sean play in a game against Belgium over the summer and I knew he was a player who would do well at Spartanburg. He is a pure scorer and averaged 19 points for us in the Upward fall league. We will definitely benefit from his ability to score by catching and shooting or attacking the rim.”

Jenkins hit that 19-point average against Laurens Tuesday night as the Vikings took a 57-56 victory. He said he’s learning the American game quickly.

“It’s a lot faster and more athletic,” he said. “I feel like European basketball is a little more fundamental, and over here it’s more athletic and a little more physical. I’m adjusting to it fine.”

Meanwhile, Jenkins also is adjusting to school life at Spartanburg.

“I’m finding U.S. history to be interesting,” he said. “Obviously I’ve done Irish history, but this is really interesting. I’ve had chemistry before. I’m taking statistics, and in Ireland we just have math. It’s a little different, but I’m enjoying it.”

Ford hopes Jenkins will continue to adjust and has high hopes for the Vikings.

“Once Sean gets stronger, faster and acclimated to our offensive system, he will definitely take a lot of scoring pressure off of Uzziah (Dawkins),” he said. “He’ll be great for us.”