Privateer men’s basketball adds SCAC Player of the Year Kaleb Jenkins

NEW ORLEANS, La. - New Orleans head men’s basketball coach Mark Slessinger announced the addition of graduate transfer guard Kaleb Jenkins, who will make the step up from Div. III to Div. I and Southland competition next season.

The former Trinity University Tiger returns home to New Orleans with one year of eligibility remaining. Jenkins received his bachelor’s degree in communications in May from Trinity, and he will pursue an MBA from the University of New Orleans College of Business.

“We are excited to welcome Kaleb home to New Orleans and to UNO. He has won at every stop of his basketball career and has been an outstanding student-athlete. Kaleb prepped at Country Day and his mother is a UNO alum, so this is a special opportunity for him and his family,” said Slessinger.

“We look forward to seeing him have an impact on campus and in his community.”

Jenkins, a 5’10 forward, played 64 games during his time at Trinity, starting in 47. He averaged 9.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg, and 1.6 apg during his career. Jenkins was selected to the SCAC All-Conference teams in 2020-21 and 2021-22. After averaging 13.5 ppg in 2020-21, Jenkins was named the SCAC Player of the Year.   

“Playing for my city is a dream come true. Being a member of this team is something that is bigger than myself. The city and the New Orleans community as a whole reflects toughness, grit and resilience,” said Jenkins.

“I hope that this can be an example to any kid in the city with big dreams. Without God nothing is possible but with God all things are possible. Big Easy, stand up!”, said Kaleb Jenkins when asked what coming home to finish his career with UNO means to him. 

"Playing for my city is a dream come true. Being a member of this team is something that is bigger than myself. The city and the New Orleans community as a whole reflects toughness, grit and resilience," said Jenkins.

WELCOME TO #NOLAsTeam⚔️ KB 🗣

📰|https://t.co/xrEmyfVu3J pic.twitter.com/ltf3FVOVUW

— New Orleans Men’s Basketball (@PrivateersHoops) June 28, 2023

A native of New Orleans, Jenkins played at Metairie Park Country Day High School. During his High School career Jenkins was a two-time All-Metro selection, and garnered All-District and All-State selections while leading his team to State Championships in 2017 and 2019.

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