NBL24 season review - Ben Henshall

The Willetton Senior High School graduate signed a two-year deal with the Wildcats after a stint in Canberra with the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence.

After a pair of impressive pre-season outings against against G-League Ignite in Las Vegas, Henshall made his NBL debut against South East Melbourne Phoenix in October, scoring a game-high 24 points in a losing cause at John Cain Arena.

He not only became the first Australian to top score on NBL debut, he also joined NBA star Joe Ingles as the only man under the age of 20 to score 20-plus points on debut.

But opportunities were scarce at times for the 19-year-old, who featured in just 16 games across the NBL24 season.

He averaged 6.1 minutes per game, because of the Wildcats’ strong roster depth, for 3.1 points, 1.3 rebounds and 0.8 assists.

Henshall, who also debuted for the Boomers during the year, impressing in his two FIBA World Cup qualifier appearances, described his maiden NBL campaign as a “development season”.

“It’s definitely been a good development season for me, I’ve learnt a lot of things being around guys like Jesse Wagstaff and Bryce Cotton, and then with the Boomers stuff I’ve learnt a lot of things,” Henshall said ahead of play-offs.

“Like everyone, I’d like to play more, but right now I’m just doing what I can to help the team win.”

Henshall will return for the Wildcats in NBL25 and is currently plying his trade for Otago Nuggets in the New Zealand Basketball League, where he’s among the favourites to win the Youth Player of the Year Award after a dominant start to the season.