TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Henson Enjoyed McDonald's Experience

ADVERTISEMENT

By NICK WILLIAMS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: April 2, 2009

Updated: 04/02/2009 12:42 pm

CORAL GABLES - Michael Jordan. Kobe Bryant. LeBron James.

This is the company Sickles High senior center John Henson belongs to, now that he has played in the prestigious McDonald's All-American game.

The 6-foot-10 North Carolina-signee scored 14 points, which included a handful of slam dunks, along with three rebounds and one block for the West All-Stars, which fell to the East, 113-110, on Wednesday night in Miami.

Henson, the No. 3 rated player in the nation by ESPN, landed in Tampa on Thursday morning, exhausted from nearly a week of activities, interviews, signing sessions and practice. Still, it was an experience he will cherish forever.

Henson dined with legendary NBA coach Pat Riley and former Miami Heat All-Star Alonzo Mourning, painted with children at the Ronald McDonald house and swam with dolphins at a nearby aquarium. He spent his nights fraternizing with the other All-Americans in the hotel lounge.

"There were no dull moments," he said.

Then, on Wednesday night, he stood center court for the tip-off of the 2009 McDonald's All-American game. Henson won the jump ball, giving his West All-Star team the first possession of the game. His first shot attempt was a left-handed sky hook, ala Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. His first make was a two-handed dunk on a fast break. His next score was a coast to coast rim-rocker that excited the crowd.

"It was great to start in a prestigious game like that," Henson said. "The highlight for me was when I got the rebound and took it back up and dunked it."

He was most impressed with West teammate and Oklahoma signee Keith Gallon. He was disappointed his team couldn't win the game.

"We had a defensive lapse," he said.

After the game, he was surrounded by fans.

"I swear I signed 250 balls and 100 programs," he joked. "We signed 60 balls before the game and 60 right after, so that's 120 right there."

He'll have to do it all again at the Nike Hoop Summit in Oregon on April 11 and at the Jordan Brand Classic at Madison Square Garden on April 18.

"It's nice to see all of your hard work pay off," he said.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT