Hofstra's Jenkins wins second Haggerty Award

For the second consecutive season, Hofstra guard Charles Jenkins was named recipient of the Haggerty Award, given annually to the metropolitan area's Division I basketball player of the year.

Jenkins, a 6-3 junior who played at Springfield Gardens High School in Queens, averaged 20.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists. Jenkins is likely to become Hofstra's all-time leading scorer. He ended the season with 1,767 points, 509 behind Antoine Agudio.

"There are a lot of great players," Jenkins said. "I put a lot of work in to try and get better. It shows how hard my work ethic is paying off."

Only two players have won the Haggerty three times: former St. John's star Chris Mullin (1983-85) and Columbia's Jim McMillan (1968-70). "They say three times the charm," Jenkins said, "so if I work as hard as I've been working, hopefully I can go out my senior year with another one."

Former Hofstra winners include Speedy Claxton (1999-2000), Norman Richardson (2000-01), Rich Laurel (1976-77) and Bill Thieben (1956-57).

Jenkins, considered an NBA prospect, thinks his chances will be enhanced if he can lead Hofstra to the NCAA Tournament next season. "I've never been in the tournament so that's something that I'm always talking about," he said. "Every year, I've been counting down. Four years to do it, three years to do it, two years. Now, I only have one more chance.

"As far as the NBA, I'm thinking about it a little bit more because of all I've done. But I have to get my team to the tournament. Most guys that are in the NBA, they all had tournament experience. That's something I really want to do."

Stony Brook's Steve Pikiell was named coach of the year and Seawolves guard Muhammad El-Amin was selected first-team All-Met by the Met Basketball Writers Association.