by DOC » Sat Jan 17, 2026 11:32 am
New Adelaide import John Jenkins, at 34 years old, has never drunk alcohol, never smoked, and the first thing he did after getting off a long haul flight from Romania to Perth was head straight to a basketball court for a workout.
That is the microcosm of the former NBA sharpshooter who the 36ers hope will take pressure off superstar Bryce Cotton as the final piece in a puzzle that is favourite to snap a 24-year NBL championship drought.
“It’s such a quick turnaround, this basketball world is crazy, man,” Jenkins said.
“It’s unbelievable how things can happen — one day you’re in Romania, the next day you’re flying to Australia.
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“I was in Romania for about 30 days and played my last game three or four days before everything
“We had a six-hour bus ride back home after an away game, so I went to bed late and woke up late the next day. I went to the bathroom, checked my phone just to make sure my kids were good, and I saw a message from Coach.
“I’ve basically been awake ever since, it’s been a whirlwind.”
TARGET PRACTICE, LAMELO AND COACH MIKE, MY MATE
Any question about Jenkins’ ability to suit up in Sunday’s clash with South East Melbourne is quickly answered in the first few moments of his workout in a sweatbox at Warwick Stadium, home of the NBL1 West Senators.
Splash, splash, splash. The shots go up from everywhere on the floor — and the rim is hardly touched, it’s all twine.
He says he's surprised, given the long-haul flight, but he shouldn’t be. Jenkins has made a living on an accurate, aesthetically pleasing jumpshot that allowed him to shoot 37 per cent from the three-point line across 171 NBA games, before taking his marksmanship global.
The Tennessee native finally lands Down Under, after entertaining offers from NBL teams every year since 2020 — when he almost joined young future NBA star LaMelo Ball in Illawarra.
“I’ve literally been offered to play in Australia every year since the year LaMelo was here.
“That was the first time I got offered. I was supposed to play with him at Illawarra that year. Aaron Brooks ended up going, and I went to the G League instead.”
Jenkins met Adelaide coach Mike Wells during Team USA duties and the relationship is more than player-coach — they’re friends.
Wells has been courting him since pre-season, when he told Jenkins to “stay ready” in the case of Bryce Cotton’s impending citizenship.
He might have been in Adelaide prior to Troy Brown, who departed the club last week, having fallen out of love with the game.
“Mike and I had been talking all summer. We’re friends,” Jenkins said.
“He called me while I was in Puerto Rico and told me Bryce was getting his passport sorted and they didn’t know what was going to happen, but to stay ready, just in case.”
THE INSANE LIFESTYLE THAT SETS JENKINS APART
One look at the insanely vascular 193cm guard and it’s clear telling him to stay ready is a waste of words.
This guy was born ready.
Jenkins has spent the majority of his 34 years treating his body and mind as a temple.
He calls it a “full-time job”.
“I knew I wasn’t an athletic freak, so I couldn’t get away with the things other guys could,” Jenkins said.
“I had to figure out what my advantage was. Shooting, obviously, but discipline and attention to detail.
“Watching Michael Jordan growing up had a huge influence on me. Then Kobe, Reggie Miller, Ray Allen — those guys all had an extra attention to detail with their bodies and preparation.
“I’m obsessed with the game and everything that comes with it: What you put in your body, how you take care of yourself, icing, stretching, yoga, pilates.
“I’ve lived the same lifestyle since I was 14 years old when I could drive myself to the gym.
“I’m 34 now — that’s 20 years of the same routine.
“I’ve never drank alcohol. I’ve never smoked. Not once in my life.
It’s no coincidence Jenkins at 34, is still able to keep up with the young bucks, his obsession and his diet mirrors that of South East Melbourne’s Nathan Sobey, who is playing at an MVP level, aged 35.
“My diet is simple: Protein and vegetables,” he said.
“My carbs are centred around workouts. I’m not waking up eating pancakes.
“It’s egg whites, chicken, fish, vegetables, fruit.
“After a hard practice, maybe rice or sweet potatoes.
“As you get older, you’ve got to stay lean, stay strong, and keep weight off your joints.
“I’ve added swimming the last couple of years.
“Whatever it takes to keep my edge.”
So, before actual team practice starts, Jenkins process has been underway for at least two-and-a-half hours.
“I stretch at home before breakfast, before coffee, before hydration.
“I have mental checklists I go through.
“Then I get to the gym, lift for 45 minutes to an hour, get treatment, then get on the court.
“By the time practice starts, I’m locked in.
“It’s paying the price for me.”
That price has a profound impact wherever his basketball journey takes him.
“I’ve had teammates tell me I completely changed the way they think about the game,” Jenkins said.
“To me, that’s bigger than anything I can do on the court.
“Helping guys develop habits, helping young players — that’s a passion of mine.
“The pay-off is amazing.”
LIKE-MINDED BRYCE AND HOW IMPORT MATES TOUTED NBL
That pay-off might be doubled for the Sixers revamped culture, given Jenkins joins fellow gym monster Cotton.
“(Adelaide assistant) Luke (Cann) and coach Mike already told me I’m going to love talking basketball and health with Bryce,” he said.
“I’ve never met another guy at this level, as far as international, that’s like that, like me.
“I’m very excited to pick his brain.”
Well-travelled Jenkins has friendships with numerous Americans who have played in the NBL.
Their positivity about playing in the league and living in Australia made it something he wanted to experience for himself.
“Travis Trice (Cairns, Brisbane) is one of my really good friends. (SEM import) Ian Clark is one of my good friends too. I know so many guys who’ve played here.
“Michael Frazier always brings it up — his time in Perth and Illawarra. Guys take memories with them when they leave here.
“Honestly, I’ve never heard a bad thing about Australia — nothing but positives.”
“They told me it’s a big coffee place, I’m a huge coffee guy.
“So that’s big for me off the court.
“But obviously I’m here to help win a championship. That’s the goal.”
HIT THE GROUND RUNNING
So, how does Jenkins fit in Adelaide.
Pretty seamlessly, given the meticulous work he’s already put in.
“I follow the league, every morning in Romania I was watching NBL games because they come on around 10.30am, before practice,” he said.
“I’ve watched the entire Adelaide playbook already — offence and defence.
“I’ve got to find a way to free Bryce up.
“Teams top-lock him and load up and I’ve been that guy my whole career, so I understand what that’s like.
“I was getting undercut, they try to hurt you, so I get what Bryce is going through, I’ve been that guy most of my life and it’s not fun every night going into a game knowing that’s how you’re going to get treated.
“I think the way I play, the fit will be seamless.
“It’s a similar playbook we use with USA Basketball — dribble hand-offs with Zylan (Cheatham), re-screens, pick-and-roll, transition — it’s basketball.
“I don’t see fitting in or finding shots as a problem at all.
“I’m just going to have complete buy-in with whatever the team needs.
“They’re No.1 in the league right now. I need to be able to read and react to what needs to be done quickly.”
We’ll find out how quickly in Perth on Sunday when the ladder leaders take on second-placed South East Melbourne — and Jenkins renews acquaintances with his mate Clark.
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