Hofstra's Charles Jenkins could head to Italy

Charles Jenkins stood in a red parka on Tuesday evening, soaked in the cold rain in front of the Red Rooster restaurant on Lenox Ave. in Harlem, handing out Thanksgiving turkeys to families in need as part of the NBA Players Association's annual drive. The people smiled with gratitude and expressed their appreciation to a person they most likely didn't recognize. Certainly they knew him to be an NBA player, because that's what they were told.

But techncially, he isn't. At least not yet.

Jenkins is a second round draft pick of the Golden State Warriors who, as a result of the lockout, has yet to sign a contract. That means he has yet to cash a paycheck. Which means while his future certainly holds the potential for millions of dollars in income, his pockets don't carry that kind of weight right now.

This Thanksgiving, Jenkins, a star at Hofstra for the last three seasons, was just a nice young man who handed out a few hundred turkeys that were on the table of some very needy families today in New York City.

Unlike NBA veterans, Jenkins hasn't felt much of the pain of missing that first NBA paycheck because he hasn't experienced the joy of getting one -- and living to its means.

"It really hasn't had much of an affect on me, because I've been mooching off my parents for the last 22 years," he said. "So I'll be mooching off my parents for, hopefully, just a few more weeks and then I can have a check."

There is once again hope of a deal on the horizon between the NBA owners and players, as the sides will meet Friday to attempt to reach a settlement to end the lockout. But in case this latest event of optimism is as fleeting as the others before, Jenkins is ready to move out of his parents' house in Rosedale and start earning himself a salary while the long-awaited NBA dream is put on further hold.

According to Sportando, Jenkins has agreed to a deal with Banca Tercas Teramo of the Italian League. The deal would include an opt-out to come back to play in the NBA if or when the lockout ends.

Jenkins, who is Hofstra's all-time leading scorer and rivals Speedy Claxton as the program's best talent, has spent most of his time preparing for training camp with the Warriors and coach Mark Jackson, a fellow New York City product. Jenkins has been a regular with Pro Hoops, a training program run on Long Island by former Hofstra (and St. Dominic's High School) standout, Jason Hernandez.

"I've been used to at least being on the court right now," Jenkins said. "But things are going to work out soon. I'm just continuing to work out and work on my game until things are settled."

Once it does, it'll be interesting to see how Jenkins, a prolific scorer, fits into the mix with the Warriors, who already have scoring guards in Monta Ellis and Steph Curry. Some viewed Jenkins as a first round talent, but he slipped to the second round, which means he may not get a guaranteed contract in his first deal.

At this point, just getting a contract signed, and getting on the court, is what he's focused on most. Whether it's with the Warriors or in Italy.

"I have to be patient and I'm surprised with how patient I've been," he said. "I know that things are going to work out and everything happens for a reason. So, for me, I'm just trying to stay in a gym as much as possible until everything is said and done. And then I can go out and start playing basketball."

Maybe next year he'll return to Harlem to give away more Thanksgiving turkeys. And then people will know it came from Charles Jenkins, an NBA player.