In the ramp up to the 2011-12 basketball season, Tar Heel Fan will be profiling key Tar Heels who will likely be major contributors this season. Today’s profile looks at forward John Henson.
Vitals
Number: 31
Position: Forward
Height: 6-10
Weight: 220 lbs
Year: Junior
2010-11 Stats: 37 gms, 11.7 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 3.2 blocks/g, 50.0 FG%, 47.9 FT%
Career Stats: 74 gms, 8.7 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 2.4 blocks/g, 49.3 FG%, 45.9 FT%
What Happened Last Season
Having moved back to his natural position in the post, John Henson used his freakish athletic ability to become a game-changer on his way to earning ACC defensive player of the year honors. Like everything else after Some Other Kid walked away from the UNC team, Henson's play really took off in the last 1/3 of the season on his way to posting 18 double-doubles for the season. His atrocious free-throw shooting also improved down the stretch.
Outlook For This Season
Henson will not be flying under the radar this season, as he was tabbed for preseason all-ACC honors and was second in votes received behind teammate Harrison Barnes. Henson will continue to be a defensive beast with his extremely long arms and springs for legs. Henson should again average a double-double and make life around the basket miserable for opposing shooters.
Main Concerns
Much as last year, the primary concerns with Henson center around his size and his shooting. Henson has added another 10 pounds of bulk but will still not be a banger inside by any stretch. Henson still needs to develop a consistent shot facing the basket and be more reliable from the foul line. Both of those began to improve late last season so we can only hope this will carry over to this season.
Wish List
12.0 ppg, 11.0 rpg, 32 min/game, 3 blocks/game, 55% FG, 67% FT
This is pretty much a repeat of last year, but Henson should again be Carolina's leading rebounder and like all the post players, should benefit from improved play on the wing. Henson will hopefully be enough of an offensive threat that defenses cannot focus on Zeller and will shoot well enough from the line to make fouling him not worth it.