Elijah Jenkins (190-G, college: Embry Riddle) is a 190cm guard from Georgia playing his third professional season and third with DTV Basketball Koeln (Germany-Regionalliga). He began his basketball career with Riverwood high school and then played at Embry Riddle University (NCAA2) from 2017-2022 playing a total of 120 NCAA games. In his last 2 years he averaged 13.4ppg, 2.5rpg, 2.5apg, FGP: 45.1%, 3PT: 41.5%, FT: 69.0% and 15.8ppg, 4.0rpg, 2.1apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 43.1%, 3PT: 41.9%, FT: 81.8%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Your playing your third season for DTV Basketball Koeln (Germany-Regionalliga). How much of a second home has it become? What have you enjoyed most about the opportunity?

Yeah it’s been great, I really feel at home here with the guys on our team, our coaches, and our fans. I’ve really enjoyed experiencing the basketball culture in Germany, as I’ve had a completely different perspective coming from the US. Winning the Pokal the last two years is definitely a huge highlight.

Some guys remain in the Regionaliga while others move up to higher leagues. How has your game grown since coming to the DTV Basketball Koeln (Germany-Regionalliga)?

I think there was an adjustment period at the start of my time here, getting used to the league, its physicality, and things like that. But since then it’s been just about continuing to be confident and find ways to help the team get a win.

What has it been like for you playing with a team full of Germans. Even though many are older than you, do you see yourself being a sort of mentor for some of the players?

It’s been great, I consider myself really lucky to play for Deutz and be around a group of guys that really enjoy both playing together and spending time off the court together. I don’t think I would consider myself a mentor because we have a lot of guys with experience at high levels of basketball, so I think we all just try to feed off our collective basketball experience instead of relying on just one or two guys.

What has it been like being teammates with German Joachim Koschade? Was he like a mentor for you when you were a rookie?

Yeah Joe’s great, he’s another one of those guys with a ton of high-level basketball experience. I really enjoy playing with him, our games definitely complement one another and we’ve been on the court together in some crucial moments the last years.

What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

I don’t think I have one specific moment in mind, but obviously getting used to the language my first season was a big adjustment.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 190cm guard. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would bets fit the bill?

Steph is too cliché, so I’ll go with Jared Mccain.

You have never averaged more than 2,0apg in a season since school. Do you see yourself developing more into a playmaking guard in the future?

I think I try to always make the right pass on the court, even if that doesn’t always lead to having a ton of assists, but I think that I will create more the more aggressive I am and defensive attention I attract.

You eclipsed 40% from outside twice at Embry Riddle and this season shooting 48% from outside. What do you credit your great shooting most to this season?

I would say that my teammates and coaches consistently encourage me to shoot which allows me to shoot with confidence regardless of the situation. But I spent a lot of time in the gym growing up, so just having the trust in the things that I’ve done my whole life allows me to have that confidence during games.

How do you see the development of your three point shooting? Do you see yourself becoming an elite shooter in the future?

I would say I’ve been an elite shooter for most of my career.

What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of defender do you still want to become?

I think now I’m playing well on defense when I’m active and aggressive in passing lanes, getting deflections, etc. I think I can still improve guarding bigger, more physical guys that we come up against.

On what areas of your game are you working on most so you can continue to improve your game?

I would say I just try to focus on making plays necessary for our team to win games.

You played 4 seasons at Embry Riddle (NCAA2) making a big jump in your last 2 seasons. How did your game grow there?

I saw myself become more aggressive hunting my shot as well as being really aggressive in the midrange area. Growing up I think I was more of a catch and shoot and movement guy but in my last two seasons I really developed the confidence in my off the dribble game, both from 3 and in the midrange.

You had so many great games in the NCAA 2 once making 11 three´s and twice 9 plus many 30 plus points. What was your fondest moment on the court?

I don’t think I can name just one moment, but just the experience of being and growing with a special group of guys on and off the court is something that was absolutely priceless.

How did head coach Steve Ridder groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Ridder had a tremendous impact on me as a player, but even more so as a person. He always believed in me and my ability and challenged me to keep improving as a player, while giving me space to grow myself both on and off the court.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Romeo Crouch?

I don’t think we actually played that much 1 on 1, but I’d have to give him the edge in those.

Who is the toughest player you ever faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

In college, definitely Jacob Evans at Cincinnati. Before that, I played pretty often against Colin Sexton growing up in Atlanta.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Romeo Crouch, Nashad Mackey, Malcolm Whitlow, Luka Majstorovic, Chris Murray

Your NBA Mount Rushmore?

Steph, Kareem, Lebron, Jordan

Your Who is your GOAT?

Lebron

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming to America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

Probably, but that’s Hollywood

Thanks Elijah for the chat.