'16 months of hard work': Rillie on Henshall's career night

The 20-year-old stood up in a team still missing four-time NBL MVP Bryce Cotton, scoring a game-high 26 points - including five triples - to go with six assists as the Wildcats made it back-to-back victories.

Rillie spoke glowingly about the WA product’s work ethic and determination to get better as he chases his NBA dreams.

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“What everyone saw tonight was a combination of hard work over the last 15 or 16 months, the time that he's been with us,” Rillie said.

“He has a great purpose to to his work habits these days, and it's just not basketball, it's his lifestyle.

Career night for the hometown kid. ❤️

Ben Henshall finished with a career-high 26 points to go with six assists in the W tonight! pic.twitter.com/zCuXpHpy96

— Perth Wildcats (@PerthWildcats) November 1, 2024

“And when I say that, like the diet and making sure he's sleeping and all of that type of stuff.

“For a teenager to come in and understand that and how much it can help you, I think he's just starting to really grasp that.

“It's just human nature when you feel really good, your performance usually lifts to that level as well.”

Henshall reflected on his career night and how he bounced back from an off shooting game against Sydney one week earlier.

A new NBL career-high for Ben Henshall: 26 points (8/15 FG, 5/8 3PT), to go with 6 assists in the Perth Wildcats’ win over the Hawks. He showed a cool mixture of off-the-dribble scoring and shooting off the catch. 6’5, draft-eligible combo guard who’s still just 20. pic.twitter.com/uukTOh46F9

— Olgun Uluc (@OlgunUluc) November 1, 2024

The Cockburn Cougars junior shot eight of 15 from the field against the Hawks including five of eight from outside the arc in a dominant display.

He said he “got his mind right” in the lead-up to his impressive Friday night outing, which bettered his 24-point debut against South-East Melbourne Phoenix last season.

“I did (have doubts), which is rare,” Henshall said.

“I’m normally next shot. I’m normally good with that stuff. Throughout the week, when I was missing practice, I was like, ‘Man, what am I doing right now?’ But I had a chat with a couple of guys on the team, and they were like, ‘It’s basketball. It happens. You miss shots.’

“I got my mind right today. I did a couple of things off the court before I got here, and it showed.”

It capped off a big few days for Henshall, who was rewarded for his strong start to the NBL25 season with Australian Boomers selection for this month’s FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers.

The Wildcats are back in action on Sunday against South-East Melbourne Phoenix at John Cain Arena, tipping off at 11.30am WST.

You can watch the game live on Kayo.