NBL25 season review - Ben Henshall

After just 16 appearances in his debut season, the WA-bred young gun doubled that in NBL25 and went up in every statistical category.

Henshall averaged 23:30 minutes per game last season including nearly 29 during finals, becoming a regular in the starting five.

He more than tripled his points per game from 3.1 to 9.8, had an increased field-goal percentage of 42.2 (up from 34.8 per cent), with his rebounding (1.3 to 3.4 per game) and assists (0.8 to 2.6 per game) also improving.

Henshall’s best performance of the season - and his NBL career - came against champions Illawarra at RAC Arena in early November.

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 clinched an important win.

He earned the praise of Wildcats Head Coach John Rillie that night.

Rillie explained how much hard work had gone into his career night, including a stint with Otago Nuggets in the New Zealand Basketball League last off-season.

“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.

“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’s eye-catching campaign saw him became a regular in 2025 NBA Draft boards around the world as he looks to realise his NBA dreams.