Backup guard Tyler Jenkins to transfer from Lehigh

Lehigh men’s basketball point guard Tyler Jenkins will transfer to Bellarmine University for his junior year, as announced officially Friday.

After seeing action in only five games as a freshman, Jenkins assumed the role of backup point guard for Lehigh as a sophomore. The Fishers, Indiana, native played in 32 games off the bench, averaging 2.0 points per game while shooting 37.5 percent from beyond the arc.

His contribution went beyond the stats as well. Jenkins was most effective on the defensive side as an on-ball defender. His past season was highlighted by a career-high eight points against Colgate in 18 minutes of play. Jenkins connected on two 3-pointers while snagging four rebounds to go along with a steal. Despite the increase in his role, Jenkins only played 8.6 minutes per game.

“Playing time was a big reason (why I transferred), but it wasn’t the only reason,” Jenkins said. “I really didn’t feel like there was much of a plan for me personally moving forward.”

Bellarmine, located in Louisville, Kentucky, is a Division II school, which will make Jenkins eligible to play immediately next season due to his transfer down a level. The basketball program has been to three of the last six Division II Final Fours and has competed in the NCAA Tournament in each of past eight years.

Along with Bellarmine’s basketball pedigree, Jenkins was attracted by other factors the school had to offer.

“Aside from basketball, Bellarmine is a great school academically, specifically in the area of business,” Jenkins said. “It also doesn’t hurt that the school is only an hour and a half from my home.”

With Jenkins’ departure, the Mountain Hawks are back down to two point guards, first-team All-Patriot League selection sophomore Kahron Ross and incoming freshman Jordan Cohen.

Despite the benefits that Bellarmine has to off him, transferring wasn’t an easy decision for Jenkins, as he emphasized the friendships and connections he made during his two-year stint at Lehigh.

“I’m going to miss the brothers that I’ve made at Lehigh,” Jenkins said. “Those guys were best teammates a guy could ask for, and we created lifetime bonds. They will always be family to me, and they know that.”