GLEN MILLS, Pa. — Kris Jenkins, a former Villanova basketball star, finds himself indebted to a dedicated Villanova fan who unwittingly became a hero in his life. While Jenkins is celebrated for making a memorable buzzer-beater in the 2016 national championship game, he had quite the adventure in securing his championship ring—a tale that highlights the unpredictable nature of enjoying the moment.
“Let’s just say,” Jenkins humorously recounted, “having a good time can turn into a disaster.” That disaster came when, during the festivities surrounding the 2022 Final Four in New Orleans, he misplaced the ring that signifies his achievement. “I didn’t technically lose it,” Jenkins admitted with a chuckle. “I just misplaced it.”
The occasion was ripe for celebration as Villanova, coached by Hall of Fame mentor Jay Wright, returned to the Final Four. Fans and players alike flocked to the city’s renowned Pat O’Brien’s bar, where Jenkins proudly displayed his championship ring, only for it to mysteriously vanish as the night went on.
Much to his surprise, however, the ring didn’t remain lost for long. A thoughtful patron found it at the bar and, recognizing its significance due to its distinctive design—an oversized “V” encircling the words “national champions” and Jenkins’s name—decided to pass it along to Deirdre Keane, a fellow Villanova alum. “He said, ‘this one looks important,’” Keane recounted, clearly understanding the value of what she had received.
Keane wore the oversized ring throughout the day, finding it somewhat loose on her finger. Though her intention was to return the cherished piece to Jenkins, life got in the way, and the communication to return the ring didn’t quite come together. “I just kind of forgot to keep pursuing to get it back,” Keane explained, as life continued to occur outside of the ring he once lost.
Meanwhile, Jenkins, who accumulated 1,382 points during his collegiate career, remained modest about the incident. He didn’t announce that he had misplaced the ring, rationalizing that he didn’t want to fuel the idea of it turning up for sale online. “What can you do with it? You can keep it and try to sell it, but at the end of the day, my name is on it,” he commented.
Fast-forward to October 2022, when Kevin Keane, Deirdre’s father, attended an event where Jay Wright was the guest speaker. Along with 1985 Villanova champion Brian Harrington, they began discussing Jenkins’s lost ring and ultimately connected Jenkins on the phone. Confirming the suspicions of the ring’s location, Jenkins was relieved: “Yeah, that’s mine. Can I get that back?”
The return of the ring dragged on until November 2024, when Harrington, alongside fellow ’85 champion Chuck Everson, made sure to personally deliver the ring to Jenkins just before he took on commentary duties for a St. John’s game. “Had that ring gone somewhere else, they might not have been interested in giving it back to Kris,” Harrington remarked, highlighting the loyalty present within the Villanova community.
When Jenkins finally received the ring back—this time a more secure fit—he couldn’t help but smile, posing with Harrington and Everson for a photo that brought the ordeal full circle. “Of all the people in the world, a Villanova Wildcat? It’s just how we roll,” Jenkins reflected. His story stands as a testament to the unwavering spirit of the school’s fanbase, affectionately known as Nova Nation, who proved that no matter how far things may stray, a Wildcat will always look out for another.
