Shanna Rose | WV Sports Chat
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — In the first month of Ross Hodge’s tenure at West Virginia, two freshmen have quickly became central to the Mountaineers’ undefeated start.
DJ Thomas and Amir Jenkins have helped push WVU to a 5–0 record, showing poise that belies their age while earning the trust of a veteran-heavy locker room and their beloved fan base.
In the Mountaineers’ 81-59 win over Lafayette on Monday, Thomas scored a career-high 25 points while Jenkins had five. Both have been contributing in various ways when on the court throughout the team’s undefeated start.
While Thomas’ development may come as a surprise to some, the 6-foot-9, 225-pound forward knows that it isn’t a fluke.
“I think the way we practiced during the summer, preseason, that really got us ready for these pre-conference games,” Thomas said. “I think that’s the biggest thing for me.”
Jenkins echoed that sentiment, crediting the structure and intensity of Hodge’s practices.
“Going off DJ, it’s just we worked very hard to practice,” Jenkins said. “The practice is kind of like game the way coach Hodge coaches it. So just all the veterans just getting on some practice is just helping us adapt to it pretty quickly.”
That work has translated into meaningful minutes, including during tight late-game stretches — a rarity for first-year players in a cut-throat Big 12.
“Honestly, it’s just really a blessing to even be on the floor at all as a freshman nowadays,” Jenkins said. “So I just say I’m very blessed and fortunate to be able to even finish a Big 12 basketball game.”
The amount of playing time that both newcomers are seeing just shows how quickly the trust has develeoped between the freshman and their head coach.
“Yeah, it just speaks to the type of confidence that, you know, me and Amir has built with coach Hodge,” Thomas said. “He believes in us. He thinks we can play at this level, so he can lead us out there during those times.”
While neither is in the starting lineup Thomas knows that they have to remain mentally ready to come in and help WVU produce.
“It’s just having a mindset of being ready,” he said. “Like, you know, these guys coming off the court are putting in work. So I got to keep up that production level when I get on the court off the bench.”
Even at his age, Thomas has instincts and the maturity that has allowed him to adjust quickly at the collegiate level.
“It’s a skill I mean he gets to where he’s comfortable, but he also he gets a people’s view to something innate with him or he’s got a great feel man,” Hodge said. “He’s really mature, man. He’s a good listener. And listening is a skill… the ability to listen to what your coach is asking you to do and then have the ability to go execute that.”
Hodge praises Thomas’ discipline, crediting both his upbringing and his even temperament.
“He has such an even-keeled personality, and his mom’s an awesome lady… she’s a military veteran, and she’s got a great presence in his life,” Hodge said. “He really is an even-keeled person, and I wouldn’t anticipate this changing them at all.”
Meanwhile, the 6-foot-2, 180-pound Jenkins continues to show maturity in late-game situations, and teammates have taken notice — none more than senior guard Honor Huff, who has watched the freshmen grow over the course of several weeks.
“I just think their preparedness — their confidence,” Huff said. “A lot of freshmen come in and say that, oh, they’re ready, but they’re not ready… just because of their mindset and the kind of work they put in.”
Both players have embraced early adversity and earned the respect of the upperclassmen.
“They’ve done a tremendous job of stepping into the fire and really just embracing it,” Huff said. “We’ve had problems with them as seniors in practice. So we’re not surprised as maybe some of you guys are.”
With veterans surrounding them and a player-led culture forming under Hodge, Huff believes the team has found a strong balance.
“I mean, we have a lot of experience too on this team. And even these two, like they’re getting the experience as we go and they’re mature for their age,” he said. “A player-led team is always going to be more successful.”
As the Mountaineers continue their early-season surge, the contributions of Thomas and Jenkins have shifted from pleasant surprise to foundational expectation — something that speaks to the program’s new direction under Hodge.
WVU’s next hurdle comes Friday, when the Mountaineers square off with Clemson — their second Power Four opponent.
Photo credit: Kelsie LeRose WVSN
