Henshall on NZ stint, Boomers and new recruit Pepper

The 20-year-old joined Wildcats teammates Tai Webster, Dontae Russo-Nance and Jack Andrew at the Nuggets, averaging 19.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game to earn a nomination for the competition's Youth Player of the Year award.

"The Otago stuff was really cool," Henshall reflected upon his return to Perth.

"The New Zealand league was really good, a lot of NBL guys were there and a lot of New Zealand locals came back to play.

"It was a really high-level league and was definitely really good for my development."

Henshall described his experience in Sapporo with the emerging Boomers squad as "unreal", getting to play alongside new Wildcat Elijah Pepper in a two-game series against a tough Japanese outfit.

"The Japan stuff was unreal," Henshall said.

"I spent a week in Sapporo with the emerging Boomers team and played two games against Japan."

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Perth Wildcats (@perthwildcats)

He also spent time training with the Boomers' Paris Olympics squad in Melbourne, learning plenty from legends like Patty Mills as he looks to follow in their footsteps and one day represent Australia at an Olympic Games.

"Those guys are the top players in Australia and some of the top players in the world," Henshall said.

"Being around those guys and seeing what their habits are like. Patty Mills is always the first one in the gym and the last one to leave the gym, seeing that is pretty eye-opening."

As for his thoughts on Pepper, an Australian-born American who starred in college before signing with the Wildcats?

"He plays hard, you can just tell he loves basketball," Henshall said.

"I had a good chat to him in Japan. He works, he plays hard and loves to compete."

Henshall and the younger members of the Wildcats roster kick off training camp next week as preparations ramp up for NBL25.