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A Conversation With Sickles High's John Henson

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By NICK WILLIAMS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 10, 2008

John Henson, the 6-foot-10, five-star prospect from Texas, moved to Tampa in August and is a senior at Sickles High.

Already committed to the University of North Carolina, the senior is said to be the No. 3-rated prospect in the nation by several recruiting sites. He headlines UNC's 2009 recruiting class, the No. 1-rated class in men's basketball, according to ESPN. He also considered UCLA and Texas.

After his sophomore season at Round Rock High in Texas, Henson grew 6 inches in 18 months, causing bone and muscles pain, but it raised his status with recruiters. In his junior season, he averaged 25 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks per game.

Born in North Carolina, he lived in Tennessee, New Jersey and Texas before moving to Tampa.

The basketball prodigy talked with The Tampa Tribune about his transition to Tampa, why he chose the Tar Heels and his NBA aspirations.

How do you like Tampa so far?

The people are nice. The school has really taken me in as one of their own. People around here have really treated me well, and it's been great.

Is it hard moving around so much?

When I was younger, it really didn't matter. I moved where my family moved. Now that I'm older, it's been tough, but if I could have picked a year to move, this probably would have been one of the years because I'm already going off to college. This is just a little detour before I go to college. It's gotten easier. It's easer than if I just would have moved one time.

When you grew 6 inches in 18 months, what was that experience like?

It was tough, because when I first shot up, my knees were hurting, I couldn't run and it hurt to jump. It was tough, but once my body adjusted, my knees stopped hurting and my feet stopped hurting. My game improved so much after everything settled in.

Why did you choose North Carolina?

I had taken visits to UCLA and Texas, because those were my final three with North Carolina, and I felt like that was the perfect fit with the players, coaching staff and environment. I feel like it's the best place for me.

Does being ranked so high add pressure to your life?

It's always that added pressure when people come out, because you know people are going to come out to see you because you're ranked so high by these recruiting services, so its pressure, but I've dealt with it so much it's kind of like second nature now. I just go out there and do my thing. If I play hard, my talents will come out.

Everyone knows Texas is a football state. Did you draw a big crowd during basketball season?

I noticed that from my freshman year to my junior year, people really started coming in the stands. I feel like basketball, where I was from, was catching up to football.

If you could compare your game to any other player, college or pro, who would it be?

If you compare my game right now, I'd probably have to say Kevin Garnett. His intensity and fire for the game and his passion, that's the type of passion I want to have. The way he carries himself is the perfect example I can give you.

Do you think you could be ready for the NBA after your freshman year?

The only way I would consider going to the NBA after my freshman year is if I had a good year and if I was locked to go in the top 15 or top 10 picks. Being realistic, the way my body is looking at 195 pounds, it's going to take a couple of years to get it right before I can attempt to make that jump to the NBA. I'm going to play hard and do my best, and if the opportunity arises, then I'll definitely look at it. If I keep on improving and doing my thing, the NBA is going to come, regardless.

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