NAMPA, Idaho – Have you ever wondered what it is like to be a college student-athlete?

Well, follow along with four Northwest Nazarene basketball players who have agreed to let me chronicle their careers in Nampa.

You can read all about their freshman year here.

Now, let's catch up on how summer went for Erin Jenkins, Jordan Pinson, Gabe Murphy and George Reidy. As well as what they have experienced in their first month as sophomores.
 
Erin Jenkins
Sophomore wing from Lompoc, Calif., Psychology major

Jenkins spent her summer adulting.

She had two jobs – the first she's ever held – at Big 5 and Marshall's. She'd never had to work before because her parents wanted her to concentrate on school and basketball.
With a team trip to Cuba looming in August, though, Jenkins needed money so she joined the workforce.

"I enjoyed one of the jobs," she said, "the other one … I got paid so I smiled through it. I learned that you aren't going to love every job that you have, but you have to be able to work through it."

When Jenkins wasn't working in retail, she was playing a lot of basketball and getting ready for her sophomore season.

She even managed to play ball on July 4 and not get injured, like last year.

"We had a family reunion at Bear Lake that was a lot of fun," she said. "All of my family members were there and it was really fun to see everyone. We got to go boating every day."

As far as the upcoming school year is concerned, Jenkins said she has a lot more classes this year than last year but the difference is she knows how to manage her time and work through her schedule of classes, homework, practices and strength and conditioning.

On the court, she is expecting a much different team than the senior-heavy one that advanced to the second-round of the NCAA tournament last season.

"I'm playing a different position this year. I can see myself needing to be more confident to be a scorer and not just a role player," she said. "Coach (Steve Steele) told me he wants me to be a leader because there are very few players who have played in conference games. So, I can show and help them if they are struggling."
 
Jordan Pinson
Sophomore point guard from El Paso, Texas, Elementary Education major

The highlight of Pinson's summer was traveling to Cuba with the women's basketball team.

The squad was joined by coaches, family members and professors, as they went to the Caribbean nation to play two basketball games, put on a camp and sightsee.

"Being with the team, seeing the coaches and building relationships with the freshmen was a lot of fun," she said. "To have a look at the lives of (Cubans) and see the differences was interesting. We enjoyed being there. It was just a ton of fun."

Leading up to the trip to Cuba, Pinson worked out at the Human Performance Center every day. She did squats, balance exercises, jumping and more. She also got up plenty of shots and played open gym with former teammates and opponents three times a week.

She is hoping it pays off on the court.

"I feel like I'm less reluctant," she said. "Last year, I took the role of being a follower because we had so many seniors. This year I know I have to step up for the team and help the freshmen. All of us will have a bigger part compared to last year."

In the classroom, Pinson has a new major. After being undecided as a freshman, she is locked in on being a teacher and eventually a coach.

"I was thinking about teaching and then I took a career class and teaching came up in my career options," she said. "I took my Intro to Education class and boom, it was decided."
 
Gabe Murphy
Redshirt freshman from Tracy, Calif., Computer Science major

Murphy spent his summer working on his body, mind and spirit.

He worked out so much that his mom took away his car so he wouldn't hurt himself. His hard work paid off as he is noticeably leaner and toned.

He also spent a lot of time working on the mental side of the game.

"There would be days I would just sit there and it was kind of rediscovering my love for basketball," he said. "I hadn't played in a game for like a year and a half. It was all work, but you don't get to see your reward. It really helped me rekindle the spark I have."

Murphy also got baptized this summer. He grew up in a Christian household and attended a Christian high school, but he was always trying to find his faith his own way.

"There have been a lot of points in my life where I wasn't alone in what I was doing and I couldn't have gotten through stuff without help," he said. "But there were points I wanted to do what I wanted to do. Running away from it was just getting really tiring."

As he moves forward in his education, Murphy is discovering that time management gets easier even as classes get harder.

"Last year, everything is super exciting and then you get a ton of homework and it's hard," he said. "Now, I know when to manage basketball, eating and homework around my class schedule."

As far as basketball is concerned, he is excited to hit the court and actually get to be a part of the team and contribute this season.
 
George Reidy
Redshirt-freshman from Edmonds, Wash., Kinesiology major

One of the biggest transitions a first-year college student has to make is going home for the summer.

Suddenly, their independence is gone.

"It was a strange transition," Reidy said. "One of my first nights back, I came home and it wasn't super late and my parents were like, 'Where were you at?' I was like, 'I have to tell you? Oh, I guess I do. I'm living back home.'

"It was a bit of an adjustment telling people my schedule and who I'm going to be with, but you do it out of respect."

Reidy spent most of his summer working on basketball. Training, taking shots, lifting, running, reading and watching film. When he wasn't playing basketball, he did some yard work for friends and family.

All that work has him excited to hit the court for the first time for NNU.

"I can play, that's the main thing," he said. "There is no doubt in your mind about if I'm going to play or not. Nope, I'm going to be on the team, wearing a jersey and going to be on the floor. That is super exciting for me.

"I feel confident and I feel motivated."

The highlight of Reidy's summer was going to the Oregon Coast with his two best friends. They went hiking, beach hopping and just hung out. The lowlight of his summer was not being in Nampa and when he rolled his ankle, taking him out of basketball for a few weeks.

Academically, Reidy said the biggest change this year is just being more comfortable.

"You aren't freaking out where the classroom is or what building it is in," he said. "You have your rhythm down. You know more of what to expect. Also, you are seeing familiar faces in the classroom."
 
Note: All grades listed reflect athletic standing