The Wolf of Worcester. That is what Amir Jenkins goes by. Sold, right?
Kim English has reached levels of high school recruiting that we haven’t seen in quite some time at Providence. In English’s two years as head coach, he’s landed Top 100 players at shooting guard (Harrell), wing/forward (Jones), and center (Erhunmwunse). While landing these elite recruits certainly opens eyes nationally, he also has a keen eye for under-recruited gems like Rich Barron and Ryan Mela that bolster the roster and raise the floor of this team. Barron was on the Big East All-Freshman team amongst a plethora of 4 and 5 stars in 2023-2024, while Mela is well on his way to claiming that award with his teammate Oswin despite Ryan being an unranked 3 star recruit.
That’s all to say Kim English has yet to land one type of recruit, and you can claim this has been one of the biggest reasons for his lack of success: a floor leading, general point guard. Winning the recruitment of Amir Jenkins would break that streak.
We detail the recruitment of Amir Jenkins, the competition, and how he fits with the Friar program.
Recruitment Overview
https://247sports.com/player/amir-jenkins-46152050/
Jenkins has burst onto the scene in his junior year. He was previously thought of an unranked recruit. Now, he is 99 overall according to 247, the 14th best point guard in the nation, and third best player in Massachusetts. He reclassified to the 2026 class and went from North to Worcester Academy, which has raised his stock.
In looking at the point guard recruits around him that Providence is pursuing, Derron Rippey Jr. is the 5th ranked point guard and Jermel Thomas is the 16th ranked point guard. That trio is most likely to be the point guard of the future, with Rippey a long shot. Thomas and Jenkins may have to battle it out for that spot, which is a good place to live if you are English.
Jenkins’s recruitment doesn’t reflect a nationally ranked 4 star recruit. His best offer is clearly Providence, with offers being of the A10 variety in George Washington and St. Louis. I’m confused as to why more schools haven’t jumped into the mix, particularly schools like Boston College, Rutgers, and Seton Hall, but hopefully that plays out in Providence’s favor.
https://twitter.com/247hshoops/status/1895516893403824597?s=46&t=jxSpiAPB3PvC74snCH-rvQ
Point Guard Position Under English
English has had point guards committed as Friar head coach, but Baltimore PG Daquan Davis ultimately renegged on that commitment to go play for Leonard Hamilton and Florida State. In the 2025 class, English was in heavy pursuit for Nigel James and Jalen Reece, but they ended up committing to Marquette and LSU, respectively. English’s overall recruiting success in high school makes him striking out at point guard a bit of a head scratcher. Hopefully, Amir Jenkins can break the mold and be the Friar lead man for the future.
Player Skillset
There are a few immediate things I love about Jenkins.
For one, he is a winner. He is a two time state champion, so clearly he has a winning pedigree. He was also a Massachusetts Player of the Year. That is something you need in your leader on the court, and I’m hopeful he could carry his winning habits to other facets of the Friar program.
Additionally, he has the size we have been lacking at lead guard. He’s not a Kadary Richmond, but he’s also not a Joseph or Bynum. He has the size needed to run a Big East program at 6’3. That is why at this stage he appears to be at his best attacking the rim.
His shot is developing. His release point is a bit low and has a slower release that he’ll need to clean up a bit.
His nickname is “The Wolf of Worcester”. His head coach describes him as playing with an edge and setting the tone every day at practice. Count me in. Providence needs more of those players to get the culture right. I’ve lamented that these type of players are missing on the current roster.
FYI, this is a great read below on Jenkins that was a useful source of intel on Jenkins for me. Great read.
He has high level college basketball in his blood. Want to feel old? His uncle is one time Friar recruit Naadir Tharpe. Having him in his corner will help prepare him for high level college basketball.
Fit with Friar Program
I’ve long found the lack of success for Providence to land a point guard under English mystifying for a variety of reasons. As mentioned above, it’s not as if the lead guard would be playing alongside schmucks. He’d be surrounded by guys who were all Top 100 recruits and many of them Top 50. Naturally, they’d make the point guard look good and could have him sleep walk to 5 assists a game.
Secondly, the keys to the point guard spot are there for the taking. Playing time has to be incredibly appealing. Jaden Pierre will be gone by the time the 2026 class enrolls. I presume English will bring in a portal PG after the 2024-2025 season, as well as see if any late blooming 2025 high school point guards want to join the mix, but as of this writing the 2026 point guard recruit who steps on campus is guaranteed to get bench minutes at worst and may have the chance to be the starting point guard Day 1. That has to be appealing.
https://twitter.com/tommycassell44/status/1894785901064044736?s=46&t=jxSpiAPB3PvC74snCH-rvQ
Summary
I feel good about Providence’s chances with Jenkins for a multitude of reasons. For one, Jenkins is a local recruit. The success of Mela has to be well received in the New England circuit. Harrell enrolling certainly doesn’t hurt either. There is a buzz to the Providence program in the New England circles, and it is always easier to land a kid familiar with your school than somebody not in the region and whom you have to educate about the school. That makes the whole commitment of Jamier Jones all the more impressive, but I digress…
Additionally, the Providence staff offered Jenkins well before he became a national name. When they offered, he was unranked. Now, he is a Top 100 recruit. Getting in early is paramount for success for a school like Providence. That loyalty in offering early has its benefits.
Here is to hoping Jenkins becomes the PG of the future for Providence because they desperately need to land somebody at this position. He and Providence would be an ideal pairing.
Providence Crier Recruiting Articles
Crier Recruiting Corner: Abdou Toure: https://theprovidencecrier.com/2025/03/03/crier-recruiting-corner-introducing-2026-connecticut-wing-abdou-toure/
Crier Recruiting Corner: Marcis Ponder: https://theprovidencecrier.com/2025/02/26/crier-recruiting-corner-introducing-2026-center-marcis-big-show-ponder/
2026 Recruiting Primer:https://theprovidencecrier.com/2024/05/08/the-providence-crier-2026-recruiting-primer-version-1-0/
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