Former William Paterson men’s basketball standout Horace Jenkins, the 2001 National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) National Player of the Year who led the Pioneers to two NCAA Tournament Final Fours, has been named to the d3hoops.com All-Decade First Team.

D3hoops.com chose the top 25 players to compete on the Division III level between 1997-98 and 2006-07, and named five to each of five teams (first, second, third, fourth and honorable mention).

Joining Jenkins on the All-Decade First Team were Korey Coon (Illinois Wesleyan), Devean George (Augsburg), Andy Panko (Lebanon Valley) and Derek Reich (Chicago). Jenkins was the only player from a New Jersey Athletic Conference member to be included on the All-Decade Team.

A three-time All-American and NJAC Player of the Year (1999-2001), Jenkins racked up impressive numbers during his three seasons at William Paterson, establishing school career records for points (1,940), three-pointers (183) and free throws (498) made, and single-season marks for points (841, 2000-01), scoring average (27.1, 2000-01), three-pointers (74, 2000-01) and free throws (257, 2000-01) made. A member of the 1999 and 2001 NCAA Tournament All-Final Four Teams, he helped lead the Pioneers to the 1999 national semifinals, the 2000 Sweet 16 and the 2001 national championship game.

Following his time at William Paterson, Jenkins’ professional career included a stint with the 2004-05 Detroit Pistons.

“Horace was indeed a special player,” said William Paterson head coach Jose Rebimbas. “His greatest strength was his fierce competitiveness. Whether we were running a conditioning drill or competing for a national title, his desires were the same: just win. He believed in doing whatever it took to win that game or drill. He elevated the play of so many of our players by instilling confidence in each of them. He never allowed his teammates to doubt the moment whether we were in practice or in a game. He earned admiration throughout the country for his play and for the way he respected his opponents. Horace left a legacy of being a winner, and that is all he ever cared about.”