It was a good summer for Amir Jenkins.
Jenkins – a Worcester native and one of the best point guards in New England in the 2026 class – led Worcester North to a second consecutive MIAA state championship in the spring and carried that momentum into the summer, when he helped lead BABC's 16U squad to a strong grassroots season and earned his first high-major scholarship offer from Providence before winning a gold medal as a member of Team USA’s U18 3x3 World Cup team.
Not bad. Jenkins actually suffered a wrist injury in the opening game of the 3x3 World Cup in Hungary, but he still soaked in the unique experience amidst a memorable summer.
Jenkins is now taking his talents to the NEPSAC after transferring to Worcester Academy, where he’s excited for a big winter ahead. Before then, he took some time for a Q&A with New England Basketball Journal to wrap up his summer. He went into detail about his experience at the World Cup, tells the story of receiving a FaceTime call from Providence head coach Kim English and much more.
This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
What were your favorite moments of the summer?
“I would say No. 1 is probably winning the gold medal. When my teammate scored the last point to get to 21, I was really happy, really proud of them. And I would say my second moment is probably getting a FaceTime call from (Providence head coach) Kim English in the summer and (getting) my first high-major offer.”
What was the World Cup experience like for you?
“It was an amazing experience. The USA staff, team, they’re just amazing. Great service. It felt like a family in only two weeks. The experience was great. It was like a once in a lifetime experience for some people and a lot of people from where I’m from or just the state or the area around me, don’t really get to make the USA team. So I would say I’m honored and very blessed. It was a great experience, great people.”
What kind of bond did you create with your teammates? Is that something you’ll cherish with them forever?
“Yeah, it was a great bond, to be honest. First couple of days, we were just getting to know each other, but by the end of it, it was almost like we knew each other for five-plus years. It was a great bond, and I also made a great bond with the coaches and the doctor and the trainers, all of them.”
You got hurt in the first game and had to sit out the rest of the tournament. How did you process that?
“When it first happened, after the game I was very upset and sad, a little mixture of both. Because it was such a great experience and I really wanted to play, but I was also just happy that I was there to support my team. After I got hurt, after I went to the doctors, I just realized, I could still win a gold medal, I still have to support my team and I have to be basically a coach. A coach on the floor.”
How did you get injured and how are you feeling now?
“Like the third possession I got in, I went to do a left hand layup and I made the layup, and I had a lot of adrenaline, I’m not gonna lie, I was very jumpy, and then the (opponent), he ran to the rim and he made a pass while I jumped because I thought he was going to do a layup, and so I was trying to block him. His elbow hit my leg from under me and I landed on both of my wrists.
“I’m just getting back now.”
Obviously you wish you had played more, but being selected to a Team USA team, what does that do for your confidence going forward?
“I feel like I’m very confident in myself before and after that, but I would say it just boosted my confidence even more. I just feel like I have a target on my back when I play against certain people or certain teams, they’re going to try to go harder or try to prove something to themselves or other people. I would say my confidence right now is through the roof. I just think I’m one of the best players in my class and if not, the best player in my class.”
You mentioned the FaceTime call from Kim English. What was that experience like when you got that call from him?
“I was actually getting picked up by my mom to go to a North High awards ceremony, and then a random number just FaceTime’d me. The first time I didn’t pick it up, I didn’t know who it is, but they kept calling. He actually texted me. I said, ‘Who’s this?’ He said, ‘Your next head coach.’ So I was like, I have to pick this up and I saw it was Kim English. He was actually getting ready for the (NBA) draft night with Devin Carter.
“I wouldn’t say I was surprised, but I kind of knew they were recruiting me. But I was just like, shocked.”
You also got tweeted at by Devin Carter on that draft night. What was your reaction to that?
“My dad actually trains Devin, so I’ve met him before. I actually went to a PC game before they recruited me and we got to take pictures with him after. I felt very honored. Devin Carter’s a great player. He was getting drafted that night and still had time to tweet at me, so it was amazing. I was surprised about that. It was just amazing.”
Draft tweet- FRIAR! https://t.co/rIsiKeULV5
— Devin Carter (@kingcarter2225) June 27, 2024
What are your impressions about Providence? Does that possibility excite you?
“Yes, it’s definitely a possibility. My recruitment is far from done, so I don’t really know yet, but I would say that’s definitely a possibility.”
How excited are you about your recruiting process over the next year or so?
“I’m really just trying to visit different schools. Just seeing if I want to get far away or stay home. I’m looking forward to meeting coaches, (learning) their culture, and what I can bring to the table for them.”
You transferred to Worcester Academy. What went into that decision?
“Since I was young, I’ve been playing at Worcester Academy, working out there. When I was younger, they used to have an international team come out and they would pick a few players from the city to play, I actually played in that a few times. My family knew Jamie (Sullivan, Worcester Academy coach) for a long time, he used to coach my uncle at a local community center, and then my decision just came down to if I want to stay close to home or if I wanted to get away. I just decided I would stay home and play in front of my city again.”
What are you looking forward to showing or proving this season?
“That I’m a winner at every level.”
What do you feel like your strengths are as a player and what are you trying to improve on?
“My strengths right now: I’m quick, I can push the pace for my team. I feel I’m a great passer. I can also shoot the ball very well, I just haven’t displayed that part of my game yet. I’m going to work on getting stronger and just working on getting my jump shot more consistent every day.
Who’s your favorite NBA player and why?
“Right now, I would say SGA, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The way he plays is just smooth. I try to take some of his moves sometimes. It would be him or Kyrie Irving.”
What do you like to do outside of basketball?
“I dance. Sometimes when I’m in the car with my friends, I freestyle a little bit. I’m a big TikTok guy. I make a lot of TikTok’s.”
