FLORENCE — One quick phone call early last summer paid big dividends for North Alabama men’s coach Bobby Champagne and the Lions.

The phone call came from Itawamba Community College coach Marty Cooper, who asked Champagne if he had any interest in signing one of his former players. That player was Theron Jenkins, who had decided to transfer from Texas Tech.

“Coach Cooper called me probably 10 minutes after Theron told him he wanted to transfer,” Champagne said. “It took me about five seconds to say, ‘Yes, I’m interested.’ I knew he was a perfect fit for us.”

Jenkins said he is just happy to be back playing basketball. He played at Texas Tech in 2009-10 before sitting out last season after having surgery for a fractured shin.

His coach at Texas Tech, Pat Knight, was fired just before the end of last season and was replaced by former Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie. Early last summer, Jenkins decided to leave Texas Tech.

“When coach Knight got fired I already had it in my mind that I was going to transfer,” Jenkins said. “I had nothing against coach Gillespie, but I wanted to play for someone that recruited me.”

Jenkins turned to his former junior college coach for help finding a place to play his final season. Cooper immediately called Champagne, who quickly got in touch with Jenkins.

“UNA was the first school to call me,” Jenkins said. “Several others called, but coach Champagne showed the most interest.

“My junior college coach trusted coach Champagne and I trusted my college coach, so I pretty much had my mind made up quickly that I was coming here.”

The 6-foot-6, 215-pound Jenkins became an instant starter for the Lions (12-8, 4-4 GSC). He has emerged as one of the top players in the Gulf South Conference, ranking sixth in scoring (16.3 ppg.) and third in rebounding (8.6 rpg.) entering today’s home game against West Alabama (6-15, 3-5).

“Theron has fit in really well,” Champagne said. “He’s not a vocal guy, but he leads by example. He gets along with everyone and his professors love him.

“There are probably a half dozen or so guys in the running for conference player of the year and Theron should be one of those guys. He has rally picked up his game since the conference season started.”

Jenkins definitely has been at his best in GSC play. He has recorded a double-double in five of UNA’s eight conference games, including a 21-point, 15-rebound performance in the Lions’ 67-62 victory over West Georgia on Thursday.

While he is most comfortable driving to the basket, Jenkins also has the ability to knock down 3-pointers or post up in the paint. He is averaging 16.9 points per game in GSC play and leads the GSC in rebounding at 10.3 per game in conference games.

“Playing the four spot has been good for me because there’s usually a bigger guy guarding me,” Jenkins said. “That makes it easy to get by them and get to the basket.

“To be honest, I’ve never been a big rebounder. But that’s what they need me to do, so I do it.”

Jenkins is set to graduate in May. A human development and family studies major, Jenkins hopes to become an alcohol and drug counselor. He also wouldn’t mind a shot at playing pro basketball overseas if the opportunity presents itself.

For now, Jenkins is happy just being back on the court and helping the Lions go as far as possible.

“A lot of times when a guy transfers in from Division I there’s a perception that they are going to come into Division II and dominate,” he said. “I’m not worried about that. I just wanted to come here to play and help my team win.”

Jeff McIntyre can be reached at 256-740-5737 or jeff.mcintyre@TimesDaily.com.

Jenkins in GSC play

Opponent Points Rebounds

West Georgia 16 5

West Alabama 18 13

West Florida 11 11

Valdosta State 24 9

Christian Brothers 11 6

Delta State 11 11

UAH 23 12

West Georgia 21 15

AVG 16.9 10.3