St. John's basketball: Daniss Jenkins shines in Summer League after 26-point outing

The NBA Las Vegas Summer League is filled with hope, optimism, and dreams of getting a chance to impress a franchise, and after signing a two-way contract with the Detroit Pistons, St. John's basketball guard Daniss Jenkins is proving he belongs in the NBA.

Jenkins began his first professional basketball game with an impressive 10-point, 5-rebound, 3-assist game while shooting 4-of-9 coming off the bench. He provided a calming presence and steady hand on the court that many saw from him during his college career, although he wasn't very calm on the inside.

"The first game I was a little jittery," Jenkins said on Monday night. "My adrenaline was rushing, so I just settled in this game."

He did more than just settle in as the Texas native landed a starting spot in his second Summer League game and went for a game-high 26 points on 8-of-16 shooting from the field, 6-of-11 from 3-point range, with three rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and a steal.

"It's just my mindset," Jenkins said. "I never take a game off, practice off, nothing like that."

"My mindset is to go out and prove I belong in this league."

The Red Storm standout was the best player on the floor in a game which featured Kentucky's Reed Sheppard, the No. 3 overall pick in this year's draft, as well as previous first round selections like Villanova's Cam Whitmore and Duke's AJ Griffin.

"Incredible performance by my man [Daniss Jenkins]," St. John's head coach Rick Pitino posted on social media. "Awesome at both ends. Does it all and a tremendous leader."

Jenkins had 18 points in the first half but was determined to show his abilities on the defensive side of the ball.

"I just want to show them that I am a two way player," he explained after the Pistons 87-73 victory.

"I start on the defensive end and let my offense pick up on the defense."

Daniss Jenkins returns to the floor on Tuesday, July 16 against the Chicago Bulls (6:30 p.m. ET, NBATV) before completing the 'regular season' of Summer League on Friday, July 19 against the New York Knicks (7:00p.m. ET, TBD).