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San Jose State basketball player suffers accidental death in Mono County

The Associated Press
Saturday June 01, 2002

BRIDGEPORT– A member of the San Jose State University men’s basketball team was found dead at the bottom of a waterfall near Mammoth Lakes, the victim of an apparent accidental death according to investigators. 

James Jenkins, 19, of La Crescenta, was on a hiking trip Wednesday with his father. After the pair became separated, Horace Jenkins reported his son missing. 

Jenkins’ body was discovered Thursday at 1:55 p.m. at the bottom of Rush Creek Falls, a 200-foot tall, 80-foot wide powerful waterfall near Agnew Lake. 

The cause of death was under investigation Friday by the Mono County coroner’s office. 

Jenkins was a 6-foot-7 walk-on forward for the Spartans. He played in 30 of the team’s 32 games last season, averaging 1.8 points and 1.5 rebounds. 

“In the short time I’ve known James, he is one of the finest young men I’ve known. This is devastating news to us here at San Jose State and, obviously, to his family,” said men’s basketball head coach Phil Johnson. 

Jenkins was a 2001 graduate of Crescenta Valley High School in La Crescenta, Calif. where he lettered in basketball and swimming. 

Funeral arrangements are pending.