The Phoenix Suns today claimed guard John Jenkins off of waivers.
Jenkins, a 6-4, 215-pound wing, began the season with Dallas where he led the team and ranked fifth in the NBA with 19.7 points per game in seven appearances during the preseason. He played in 21 regular season games with the Mavericks, averaging 3.3 points in 9.2 minutes. The fourth-year NBA veteran has played in 119 career games with Atlanta (2012-15) and Dallas (2015-16), averaging 5.2 points while shooting 44.6 percent from the field, 35.7 percent from three-point range and 85.3 percent from the free throw line.
Originally the 23rd overall pick of the 2012 NBA Draft by Atlanta, Jenkins averaged a career-high 6.1 points in 61 games his first season, ranking fifth among rookies by shooting 38.4 percent from three-point territory. The 24-year-old owns 18 career double-digit scoring games and three with 20-plus points, including a career-best 23 points at San Antonio on April 6, 2013. In addition to his NBA experience, Jenkins has played in 17 career D-League games with Bakersfield, Fort Wayne and Idaho, averaging 19.7 points on 50.0 percent shooting.
A native of Hendersonville, Tenn., Jenkins played collegiately at Vanderbilt University and earned All-SEC First Team honors in the final two of his three seasons with the team. Jenkins averaged 16.9 points for his career as he helped the Commodores reach the NCAA tournament in each of his three seasons, the only time in program history that Vanderbilt has earned three consecutive NCAA tournament berths.
Jenkins will wear uniform number 23. The Suns' roster now stands at 15.