Warriors draft Hofstra's Jenkins

If anybody understands what it means to be a three-time Haggerty Award winner as the best college player in the New York metropolitan area, it's new Golden State basketball coach Mark Jackson. He played at St. John's with Chris Mullin, who did it, and Thursday night, he used the 14th pick in the second round -- No. 44 overall -- to draft Hofstra guard Charles Jenkins, who matched a feat accomplished only by Mullin and Columbia's Jim McMillian.

As a New York point guard himself, Jackson can appreciate what he's getting in Jenkins, who became Hofstra's all-time leading scorer with 2,513 career points. Jenkins averaged 22.6 points, 4.8 assists and 3.4 rebounds as a senior.

Jenkins was not immediately available for comment, but Hofstra coach Mo Cassara was contacted shortly after the pick by Mike Malone, the former Knicks assistant hired by Jackson to serve as his lead assistant. Malone noted that former Hofstra star Speedy Claxton is a Warriors scout and was in their draft room when Jenkins was chosen.

"They were thrilled,'' Cassara said. "They didn't think he would be available. Speedy Claxton saw Charles play a lot of games, and Mark Jackson and Mike Malone are New York guys. They really needed a backup point guard. Mike is really excited they got Charles.''

Some mock drafts had Jenkins going anywhere from the 15th pick to late in the first round, which would have meant guaranteed money. As a second-round pick, Jenkins will have to earn his way on to the Warriors' roster, but he's been battling the odds his entire career, and it sounds as if the Warriors will have no trouble making room for him to pursue his dream.

Cassara added, "Charles is excited. He's worked very hard for this.''