Danis Jenkins sounded like he was ready to run through a wall for his new team on Thursday night, minutes after agreeing to a two-way contract with the Pistons.
If the St. John’s star point guard was disappointed to go undrafted, he didn’t show it.
“All I needed was someone to give me a chance,” Jenkins told The Post on Thursday night. “All I needed was someone to believe in me and see the vision.”
Jenkins, a 6-foot-4 guard from Dallas, has attended 12 NBA workouts, including with the Knicks and Nets.
He knew there was a good chance his name wouldn’t be called and he wasn’t sure what kind of deal he’d be able to make.
But the Pistons were impressed with Jenkins and continued to be in contact with his agent throughout the draft.
Soon after, Jenkins received the good news that he was getting a two-way contract and he didn’t hesitate.
In fact, when he received a formal offer from the Pistons, he asked them to repeat it.
“I think Detroit is a really good place to be,” Jenkins said. “They’ve always liked me. It was a perfect fit for both of us. … They were looking for someone to come in and change the culture, and I’m a great fit for that. I’m a great fit. I’m ready to come in and contribute and be a great part of whatever they’re trying to build there.”
“I like starting from scratch and being part of something special.”
He took a circuitous route to get to this point, starting his collegiate career at the University of the Pacific, then going to junior college before enrolling at Iona College with Rick Pitino.
He followed Pitino to St. John’s and proved he could play at a high-major level.
Jenkins averaged 14.9 points, 5.4 assists and 3.5 rebounds while shooting 44.6 percent from the field and leading the Johnnies to a fifth-place finish in the powerful Big East and a berth in the Big East Tournament semifinals.
“Please help the Pistons @Djenkinss5 out there like you helped Iona and St. John’s,” Pitino posted to X. “You have all the traits of a great NBA contributor. So proud of our leader!”
The rebuilding Pistons would be a good landing spot for Jenkins.
The opportunity seems likely as the franchise looks to surround former top pick Cade Cunningham with the right players.
Jenkins is very close with guard Marcus Sasser and is also close with Cunningham and Pistons first-round draft pick Ron Holland.
“Yeah, he’s tough,” an NBA scout said when asked if Jenkins could play in the league. “There’s a reason why Coach Pitino loves him, there’s a reason why Coach Pitino brought him on the team. He’s going to find a way to compete on his own terms. No matter how good a player is, whether that’s at the end of the bench or overseas or in a European league, he’s going to get all the out of his talent.”
First up, there’s the NBA Summer League, which starts on July 12 in Las Vegas.
Jenkins had watched the tournament for years and imagined herself competing.
Now he will get that opportunity.
He looked ready to lace up his sneakers at any moment.
“I’m so excited,” he said. “This is something I’ve dreamed about. I’ve grown up watching this my whole life. And I get to fulfill my dream before it even starts.”
St. John’s University center Joel Soriano agreed to an Exhibition 10 contract with the Hornets on Thursday night, meaning at least two players from Pitino’s inaugural Johnnies squad will play in the NBA Summer League.
