Today, the University of Georgia is a major player in athletics. That’s what happens when a football team wins two straight national titles. But Georgia’s basketball program hasn’t been able to match the team’s success on the football field. Despite the dominance of football, second-year UGA basketball coach Mike White is determined to alter that perception.
Building a culture is crucial in college athletics, and Markel Jennings, a freshman walk-on, is becoming an increasingly important component of this effort. Though Jennings, an Athens local, might not garner as much attention as playmaking transfer Noah Thomasson or nationally recruited Blue Cain, White recognized something in him that made him worthy of a position on the team.
At five feet, eleven inches, and 156 pounds, Jennings doesn’t look like the usual Division 1 basketball player, even with offers from Indiana State and Oral Roberts. Under the guidance of Don Hurlburt in his final year at Athens Academy, Jennings exhibited qualities that transcended his outward appearance. The coaching staff at Georgia has already acknowledged him as a high-motor athlete who prioritizes the team.
Hurlburt added, “They were just praising Markel and how much of a terrific team player he is, and what a high-character kid he is, and how he just busts his rear end.” “I have faith that he will appropriately portray himself. I’m confident he will appropriately represent his family. He’ll appropriately represent Georgia basketball at the university.
Apart from Hurlburt’s impact, Jennings was also fortunate enough to receive coaching and training from Carlos Strong, a former Bulldog and NBA player. Strong gave Jennings a special mentorship because of his tremendous background, which included seven years of playing overseas and five years in the NBA. Jennings encountered challenging competition through Strong’s AAU program, which helped him get ready for the demands of collegiate athletics.
Strong stated, “He is always prepared to work as hard as he possibly can to get better.” We’ll be alright once Georgia rebuilds its culture and the youth realize that they want to play for the Bulldogs and remain in the state or the city. I believe Coach White is doing a fantastic job with it, and big things are likely to happen.
Being a walk-on in collegiate athletics may be mentally taxing, particularly given the infrequent playing time and high daily commitment. Hurlburt said he was aware of the pressure but had faith in Jennings, pointing to the player’s unmatched love for the game as motivation. Jennings’s progress is further aided by the presence of seasoned guards like senior Justin Hill on the team.
Hurlburt declares, “They will ship you in a second, so you better show up and bring it every practice, regardless of whether you’re a walk-on or on a full scholarship.”
Jennings emphasized the value of seeing how experienced players like Hill handle the mental side of the game and expressed gratitude for the chance to watch and learn from them. Guards who are smaller than average, like Hill and Jennings, must compensate for their physical attributes with their intelligence, and Jennings’s ability to do so has increased significantly with Hill’s support. It has been tremendous to witness how he facilitates the game and makes his reads, according to Jennings.
Hurlburt compares Jennings’ path to that of former Bulldog Jaxon Etter, who similarly decided to walk on at Georgia because he loved the program. Hurlburt sees Jennings developing significantly under White’s tutelage over the course of four years, a chance Etter lost because White didn’t arrive until his senior year.
Acknowledging the attributes that Strong and Hurlburt commended, White surprised Jennings with a preferred walk-on offer during an unauthorized visit to UGA. White recognized a chance to bring Jennings into the fold, where his work ethic and positive impact in the locker room and on the court would be priceless.
Throughout his high school career and recruiting process, Jennings attributes his consistent support to his family, friends, and the Athens community. His relationship with “Uncle Carlos,” who ended up being his basketball tutor, emphasizes how crucial it is to have a solid support network. Their shared passion for basketball, Athens, and the Georgia Bulldogs helped the two become friends.
Looking back on the principles his parents taught him—honesty, humility, and respect—Jennings recognized that these qualities were key factors in Coach White’s decision to recruit him. He was cognizant of his part in White’s endeavor to create a supportive environment on the squad.
“I believe that Coach White’s efforts to create a positive culture here are another reason I came here, and those qualities come from my parents,” Jennings remarked.
Jenning’s narrative highlights the critical importance of having a strong support network, having big ideas, and working tirelessly to achieve your objectives and create a culture that is holistically successful in both basketball and life. For White, the task of reconstructing the Georgia basketball program is a never-ending one. Even still, Jennings’s walk-on status demonstrates his attention to creating a strong culture, indicating that he wants to avoid any rifts in the system.
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