MOBILE, Ala. – This upcoming season, the South Alabama women’s basketball program will welcome six newcomers to the squad.  The second newcomer, one of five incoming freshman, is Taylor Jenkins, a 6-1 forward from Germantown, Md.  A four-year letterwinner at the Bullis School, Jenkins was ranked as the 34th-best power forward in the country and a three-star prospect by HoopGurlz.com prior to the start of her senior season.  She also scored more than 1,000 points during her time at the Bullis School.  Recently the Germantown, Md., native sat down with www.USAJaguars.com.

Where are you originally from?  You’re coming to South Alabama after playing your prep ball in Maryland.  Have you always lived in Maryland?  What was it like growing up there?
“Yeah, I’ve always lived there.  I was born in Germantown, Md., in Montgomery County right outside Washington, D.C. It was a good place to grow up.  I lived in the suburbs, so it was a nice area and pretty comfortable.”

You have been in Alabama for a little over a month now.  How has that been and how does living in Alabama compare to living in Maryland?
“It’s been really nice.  I like the weather a lot more, except when it rains.  It’s a lot hotter here.  I think I have been adjusting well to it.”  

When did you start playing basketball?
“I started playing when I was in third grade.  My dad and my oldest brother both played basketball.  When I was little, I always wanted to be like my brother so I tried basketball.”

What do you believe is a strength of your game and why?
“I think my strength is facing-up a defender and going to the basket.  By height, I’m a post player, but size, I’m can move like a guard.  If there is a big post player on me, I can just drive to the basket.”    

What do you enjoy most about playing the sport?
“I love winning and the whole team experience.  Over the years that I’ve played, I have been really close to all of my teammates.  I like the family aspect of a team.”

What factors led to your decision sign with South Alabama?
“The atmosphere of the campus was one.  It just kind of felt right.  The coaches were also real straight-forward with me.  They didn’t string me along and told me where they see me. I really respected that about them.  It was also really good when I met the team on my visit.  Everybody was cool and I felt like I could really see myself here (during the visit)”.  

What are you majoring in here at South Alabama and what do you are plan on doing after graduation?
“Civil engineering.”

How long have you known that you wanted to do that as a career?
“I think I decided to go into that field in high school.  I like math.  It’s one of my favorite subjects and I have always been good at it.  I also know some people who are engineers.  There is a lady from my church back home that is, so I talked to her about it.  My best friend’s mom is also an engineer, so I talked to her as well.  I think (civil engineering) kind of fits me.  It’s kind of what I want to do.  I open to any kind of engineering, but civil is where I am leaning right now.”

What kind of player can fans expect to see when they watch you this season?
“I’m a hardworker. Defensively, I like blocking shots.  Offensively, I feel like I’m an in between player like I was saying before.  I post up smaller players and if they are bigger players, I’ll try to take them to the basket.  I’m kind of an all-around player in a way.”

Being one of five freshmen on the team, how has the transition from high school to college life been for you so far?
“It’s been good for the most part.  At first it was really hard, but I feel I am getting used to it and to the constant schedules.”

With all five incoming freshmen already on campus, how has the group’s relationship developed?
“We’ve all kind of stuck together and travel in packs, especially, me, Sharon, Brittany and Diamonisha.  We all have the same class schedules, so we are together.  Having them around makes it a lot easier to adjust and get used to everything.  I don’t ever feel alone.”

What do you think will be your biggest adjustment to adapt to the college game?
“I think the biggest adjustment for me will be strength wise.  I’m a really skinny person.  I haven’t had to really be that much stronger than people I have played against.  I have been able to beat most of them with my quickness.  At this level, everyone is just as quick, if not quicker, faster and stronger, so I will need to get stronger.  I think that is going to be the hardest part about it, but I’ve been working hard in the weight room.”  

Have there been any upper classmen you that you have sought out for advice to help you with the transition? How have they helped you?
“They are all pretty good about looking out for us.  I have talked to Mansa (El) a lot, along with Roni (Veronica Cherizol) NeNe (Ronneka Robertson) and Mary (Nixon).  I could probably name all of them, because they have all helped out in different ways.”

What are your goals for the upcoming season – both individually and for the team?
“I want to be able to contribute as a freshman, just wherever I’m needed.  Play whatever role the coaches want me to be in.  I also just want to be a really encouraging teammate.  Make sure I work hard.  As far as for the team, I want us to get into the postseason, win our conference and get into the NCAA tournament.”  

Some incoming freshmen like to ease their way into their college careers and some like to come in and make an immediate impact.  Which type would you say that you are?
“Knowing me, I am probably the type player that will feel my way and see where I can do my best and where I fit in with the players that are already established.  Kind of play my role as a new player and work hard when I get in.”

What professional or collegiate player do you try to pattern your game after and what is it that you like about their game?
“One of my favorite players is Lisa Leslie.  Even though she isn’t playing anymore, I kind of see myself like her since she was a post player with my build.  My brother is another.  He played in college and overseas too.  He’s a really good guard, but he’s big too, so I look up to him a lot in terms of basketball.”

Who would you say has had the biggest impact on your life, either as a person or as a player? Why?
“It would have to be my parents.  They have gotten me through life and basketball.  They have motivated me and given me that extra push when I needed it.  Without them, I probably wouldn’t be in the spot that I am now.”

What things do you like to do off the court?
“I like to draw and listening to music.  I love being around my family and just hanging out with them.”  

Do you have any talents other than basketball?
“I’m a second-degree black belt.”

If you could play any other sport, what would it be?
“I would probably try to run track because I did that in high school.  I did the hurdles, high jump and long jump.  I was pretty good at those events, so I would probably do that.”

Who was the main assistant coach at USA to recruit you?  Describe your relationship with that coach during the recruiting process.
“Coach (Eric) Wise.  We had a pretty good relationship from the beginning.  When he first started calling me, I kind of had my mind set on another school. He was very persistent and kept calling.  As I kept going through the recruiting process and limiting down schools, we kept talking.  We had a really good relationship and talked often.  He was really good with getting me to come for a visit.  He kept telling me, “It’s better than what you expect”, which was very true.  Coming from up north, I didn’t expect it to be anything like it was.  When I came down here, I feel in love and knew I wanted to come here instantly.”

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

Off the Court with Lady Jag…
Brittany Webb (July 13)
Taylor Jenkins (July 27)
Sharon Sanders
Diamonisha Sophus
Brianna Wright
Meghan Dunn

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