Class of 2024
Orlin "Moe" Jenkins
Student-Athlete
Basketball, Football
Slater High School
Class of 1951
Orlin “Moe” Jenkins - 1951 (Slater High School)
Widely considered Slater’s most gifted athlete ever, Moe Jenkins starred in basketball and football for the Wolves.
Named to the All-State basketball team each of his four years of high school, Jenkins was considered one of the greatest players ever from East Tennessee. The 6-6 center/guard averaged 32 points a game over his four years at Slater, averaged 38 ppg his senior year, and could dunk with either hand.
Jenkins was also named to the All-City, All-District, and All-Regional basketball teams. He attended Tennessee State and led his team to the national title in 1952, which resulted in him being named to the Negro All-American squad that year.
He joined the United States Air Force in '52 and, while there, played for the Ellsworth Flyers. He led the Flyers to a 36-3 record, setting several scoring records along the way and scoring 1,232 points for the year. Jenkins' outstanding play impressed the Harlem Globetrotters, who made him an offer to play due to his deft ballhandling skills and scoring ability. Ultimately, Jenkins opted to return to school at West Virginia University and decided against playing for the Globetrotters.
Jenkins passed away in June of 2011.