Cowboys Q&A: Robert Jennings II

In order to get his hands on the basketball, Robert Jennings II first had to learn to play without it.

An only child, Jennings grew up chasing around a group of three older cousins who lived on the next block over.

"They've always been like my big brothers," he said. "I talk to them every day, and they hold me accountable for everything I do."

Basketball was one of their favorite activities. The cousins were nice enough to include young Robert in their pickup games, but mercy has its limits on the field of battle.

"They weren't going to pass it to me, so I wasn't going to get the shots," he recalled. "I would be up against people four or five years older than me, and I would just have to play super hard.

Those lessons have served Jennings well. Now a 6-foot-8 junior at Oklahoma State, he's the big kid but continues to base his game on "all the little things."

"Getting the offensive rebounds, diving on the floor, being a great teammate–that's what got me started in high school and eventually earned me my first offer," he said. "I've always tried to keep my motor high. That's non-negotiable."

Off the floor, Jennings has a far different persona.

"I'm super mellow," he said. "You won't see me too high or too low."

He gets that patience from his father, a former long haul truck driver.

"My dad loves driving. When he gets behind the truck, it's just him and the road. It just feels like his getaway," he said. "When I play basketball, that's my getaway. All that stress just kind of goes down the drain."

Jennings was a standout player at Desoto High but homeschooled his last two years with the Texas Alliance of Christian Athletes because it offered him the opportunity to continue playing through the pandemic. It also helped earn him a stack of early college credits.

While only a junior, Jennings is on track to finish his bachelor's degree this spring in university studies and wants to add a business management degree next year. He eventually hopes to work in the front office of a professional sports franchise.

"I just fell in love with sports, and this is what I enjoy doing," he said. "I enjoy being around the people, I enjoy just how the life is."

When he arrived at Texas Tech as a true freshman, Jennings found himself in a familiar role – battling for minutes against players 3-4 years older. Instead of sulking, he embraced the opportunity to improve, citing veterans like Kevin Obanor as important mentors.

"(Obanor) had just transferred from Oral Roberts and had tournament experience," Jennings recalled. "So I watched how he carried himself. I watched how much detail he put into everything – the food he put in his body, all the little stuff."

"As I went into my second year, I was trying to not necessarily mimic him, but be cognizant of what I was doing, like wake up and go to the gym. Be the first one at the gym. That's all going to set you apart down the road."

Jennings' sophomore stats don't jump off the page, but he was an efficient scorer for Texas Tech and ranked among the Big 12's best offensive rebounders according to advanced metrics like KenPom. That and a willingness to buy in on the defensive end eventually earned him a starting spot on an NCAA tournament team.

"I've always taken pride in my defense," he said. "No matter who's on the floor, I feel like I can guard him."

After two years, Jennings felt very much at home in Lubbock. In his eyes, that was a problem.

"I kind of got comfortable," he said. "I needed to be uncomfortable."

So Jennings entered the transfer portal last spring in search of new growth opportunities and soon found one in Stillwater. He was among the first recruits to sign with new head coach Steve Lutz.

"Me and Coach Lutz started building a relationship," Jennings said. "And I realized how genuine of a person he is. As soon as I took my visit, I knew this was the place where I wanted to be."

As an added bonus, he's an hour closer to his home in Desoto. Now it's the cousins who will be chasing him around.

"My family travels in packs. You're going to see like five or six of them at every game," he predicted. "I want them to be able to come and experience the games and to see me play live. I want to experience that with them, so this is the perfect place."

Cowboys Q&A with Robert Jennings II:

What's your favorite animal?
A dog. Man's best friend. I have a Cane Corso.

Funniest coach on the staff?
Coach James Miller, for sure. You never know what you'll get from Coach Miller. Okay, so funny story: For two weeks straight, Coach Miller was dapping me up with my left hand, because he had seen me in practice do a right-hand layup on the left side (of the basket). So he wanted to make sure I had a left hand. Every time I would go in to shake him with my right hand, he would come back with his left. This went on for like two weeks!

Who's your basketball GOAT?
I'm gonna tell you, my favorite player -- Kevin Durant, but if I had to give you a goat? LeBron and Mike run neck-and-neck, but I've witnessed LeBron, so I'm going to give it to him.

What's your favorite type of music?
Hip-hop or R&B

Favorite artist?
Drake or Gunna. I love Gunna.

Favorite hobby?
Playing video games on play station, NBA 2k or NCAA 25.

Favorite movie?
Sky High

Favorite sport, other than basketball?
Football

NFL or College football?
College

What's your hidden talent?
I used to play drums when I was a kid.

Favorite food?
Nachos…You give me chips and cheese with any type of brisket, beef nachos, chicken nachos, nachos with some pico de gallo. I'm fine.

Oklahoma State University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Robert Jennings II

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