One shining moment

The first time sophomore Brent Jenkins slipped on his UNCW basketball jersey was one of the best feelings he’d ever had.

It was an emotionally-charged moment for the walk-on. He never envisioned an occasion that could rival his excitement of suiting up for the Seahawks.

Especially not on the steps to the Vatican City.

More than 4,000 miles away from the Port City, Jenkins felt a familiar, indescribable rush. In less than a year, he’d made the practice squad, earned walk-on status and was offered a full scholarship.

A video posted by a UNCW athletics social media account during the program’s week-long tour of Italy documented the Aug. 13 moment and has more than 189,000 views.

Surrounded by his team, coach C.B. McGrath asked Jenkins, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard, if he was paying for his school.

He nodded yes.

“Not anymore. You are on scholarship,” McGrath said, shaking his hand.

The Seahawks erupted in cheers, dumping water on a stunned Jenkins in celebration.

“He is a great kid and they realize that,” McGrath said.”They realize how hard he worked and how much he enjoys being a part of the team. He has obviously made his mark on them because they were excited for him.”

It was a dream come true for the Elizabeth City native.

“Every single time I watch it I get teared up. I think half of it is just seeing my teammates get so happy for me because that shows how awesome the culture of our squad is,” Jenkins said. “Also it’s something my parents and I have been talking about for years and years. It just never happened. I never got recruited to any Division I schools out of high schools, and for this to happen here at UNCW, it’s all meant to be. It was crazy and everytime I watch the video I get this nervous and happy feeling.”

Jenkins wasn’t the first walk-on in his family.

His father, Joe, suited up for legendary coach Dean Smith at North Carolina. The elder Jenkins played JV for three years under current Tar Heel head coach Roy Williams before Smith offered him a walk-on position.

So when Brent Jenkins started watching UNCW practices from the sidelines, he received encouragement from his father.

“He told me to just keep showing up and things are going to work out. To keep your head up, and he was right on the spot,” Jenkins said. “Once I got on the practice team he told me to work hard and be the hardest worker in the room because that is all you can do is your best.”

McGrath was impressed with Jenkins’ size the first time they met. The roster was full, but he told the freshman he could attend practices and be like a manager, rebounding and passing for the team.

After some injuries and a player transfer, he made his way to the roster in the second half of the season. Jenkins even played in the final minute of the CAA quarterfinals game against Northeastern. Since receiving his scholarship, he said it’s time to work even harder than before.

“I’ve got to keep doing what I am doing and keep fulfilling my role,” Jenkins said. “It’s going to be huge. I have got to hustle. I have got to keep working hard. The coaches are going to rely on me to bring huge amounts of energy on the bench and in practice.”