WVU freshman guard Amir Jenkins dribbles against Campbell. (Photo by Benjamin Powell/The Dominion Post)

Amir Jenkins has already received an early college experience.

The WVU freshman guard is about to receive a REAL college experience Thursday, when the Mountaineers (3-0) host rival Pitt (3-0) inside the Hope Coliseum.

Here’s the thing, though, Jenkins could very well have passed on it all. Technically, he’s supposed to be a senior at Worcester (Mass.) Academy, where he was once ranked the No. 75 overall recruit nationally in the class of 2026.

Except he decided to reclassify. What that means is he earned enough credits to graduate high school early and enrolled at WVU in 2025 instead.

“Every situation is a little different,” WVU head coach Ross Hodge said. “Sometimes it just depends on when their birthdays are, some guys are a little older when they first start school. Each situation is a little different. I think the biggest thing with Amir was that he was mentally ready. He felt he could contribute at this level, which we obviously believe in that as well.”

It’s not exactly news anymore when high school athletes take the route Jenkins chose. Cooper Flagg did the same thing last year and ended up being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft after a season at Duke.

It hasn’t exactly happened all that much at WVU, though, making Jenkins a sort of a rarity. He doesn’t see it that way. Jenkins, who is playing this season sporting a brace on his left shoulder after taking a hard fall in practice, called his early enrollment a “great opportunity.”

“I kind of thought I was ready and I feel like the coaching staff really believed in me and I really believed in them,” Jenkins said. “It was just as a point of just me and my parents making a decision just to come to West Virginia, because we thought it was the right place for me.”

The opportunity arose when Hodge began piecing together WVU’s roster from scratch after he was hired from North Texas last March. Hodge knew he was bringing point guard Jasper Floyd with him from North Texas, but needed a backup.

But, it was more than just finding a backup, because Floyd is a senior. Hodge also needed a point guard who could possibly step in as the starter next season.

“When coach hopped on a call with me and gave me the scholarship, he told me they were looking for another point guard,” Jenkins said. “So, I just really just didn’t pass up on a great opportunity.”

That opportunity has led him to just shy of 12 minutes of action over WVU’s first three games. Jenkins has struggled with his shot going just 2 of 9 from the field, but has fit in nicely with four assists and three steals.

More importantly, Jenkins said there hasn’t been any regret in leaving high school early and he’s fit in well with his teammates.

“When I came on my visit, I remember how everyone was just so welcoming,” he said. “I kept hearing about West Virginia’s fan base. It’s just a great place to be.”

He’ll see even more of the fan base against the rival Panthers, who have won the last two meetings against WVU, including last season’s 86-62 victory. It is expected to be a sold-out atmosphere inside the Hope Coliseum.

Even though Jenkins is in college a little early, no one expects him to shy away in a big-game atmosphere.

“He’s a stud,” WVU center Harlan Obioha said. “Amir brings it everyday. Amir is one of the fiercest competitors I’ve ever played with. He’s not just trying to get through practice. He’s making the most of his situation. It’s tough being a freshman, especially at a bigger school. Things are thrown at you a lot faster, but he’ll figure it out. Amir is a smart kid and a really good basketball player.”