Leon Henry

Leon Henry
Personal information
Born (1985-10-14) 14 October 1985 (age 39)
Auckland, New Zealand
Listed height200 cm (6 ft 7 in)
Career information
High school
CollegeCollege of Southern Idaho (2005–2006)
Playing career2004–2023
PositionForward
Career history
2004Harbour Heat
2008–2011Wellington Saints
2008–2009U-Mobitelco Cluj-Napoca
2010–2013New Zealand Breakers
2012Otago Nuggets
2013–2014Southland Sharks
2014–2016Townsville Crocodiles
2015–2017Wellington Saints
2017Ballarat Miners
2018–2019Wellington Saints
2020Auckland Huskies
2021Wellington Saints
2022Franklin Bulls
2023Manawatu Jets
2023Knox Raiders
Career highlights and awards

Leon Hofeni Nehemiah Henry[1] (born 14 October 1985) is a New Zealand former professional basketball player. He debuted in the New Zealand NBL in 2004 and won seven championships in 19 years. He also played five seasons in the Australian NBL, where he won three straight championships with the New Zealand Breakers between 2011 and 2013.

Early life and career

[edit]

Henry was born and raised in Auckland, New Zealand.[2] He attended Mount Albert Grammar School[3] and Avondale College.[4] A rugby league player in his early days, he discovered basketball as a 12-year-old at a holiday camp run by then-Auckland Stars coach Tab Baldwin.[2] Baldwin gave Henry a Tall Blacks trial when he was 18.[2]

Henry debuted in the New Zealand NBL in 2004 with the Harbour Heat.[5] He also played for the Junior Tall Blacks in 2004, helping the team defeat Australia in the final of the Oceania Youth Tournament. Henry scored 25 points in the final and averaged a team-high 19.0 points per game in the tournament.[5]

In 2005, Henry moved to the United States to play basketball for the College of Southern Idaho (CSI). During the 2005–06 U.S. college season, Henry averaged 4.1 points and 3.6 rebounds in 29 games for the CSI Golden Eagles.[6][7]

Professional career

[edit]

Henry made his return to the New Zealand NBL in 2008 when he joined the Wellington Saints. The Saints reached the championship series in 2008, where they lost 2–0 to the Waikato Pistons. Henry played 10 minutes in game one but saw no court time in game two.[8][9]

In August 2008, Henry moved to Romania to play for U-Mobitelco Cluj-Napoca.[10] He joined former Tall Blacks' head coach and childhood mentor Tab Baldwin at the club.[2] In 27 games during the 2008–09 Romanian League season, Henry averaged 4.4 points and 2.1 rebounds per game.

Upon returning to New Zealand, Henry had a five-game stint with the Wellington Saints to complete the 2009 New Zealand NBL season. He then re-joined the Saints in 2010 and won his first championship, helping the team defeat the Waikato Pistons 2–1 in the finals. Henry had eight points and 11 rebounds in a game one loss;[11] three points and seven rebounds in a game two win;[12] and then seven points and nine rebounds in the title-clinching game three win.[13]

Henry joined the New Zealand Breakers for the first three games of the 2010–11 NBL season as a replacement for Kirk Penney.[14][15] He lost his spot on the roster when Penney returned from his unsuccessful NBA tilt, but the Breakers had seen enough from Henry to want to keep him around. League rules meant he could return to the roster only if Penney dropped out, so Henry remained with the shadow squad for the rest of what was a championship-winning season.[2]

After helping the Saints win back-to-back titles in 2011, Henry was rewarded with a full-time contract with the Breakers for the 2011–12 NBL season, after Penney's departure to Spain.[2][16] However, Henry's season debut was delayed until late November due to a stress fracture in his shin.[2][17][18] In April 2012, the Breakers defeated the Perth Wildcats 2–1 in the NBL Grand Final series to claim back-to-back championships. In 23 games during the 2011–12 season, Henry averaged 2.8 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.[18]

Following the Breakers' championship win, Henry joined the Otago Nuggets for the final six games of their 2012 New Zealand NBL season.[19][20]

Henry returned to the Breakers for the 2012–13 NBL season, and in April 2013, he was a member of the team's third straight championship.[21] He appeared in 31 of the Breakers' 32 games, averaging 3.5 points and 2.2 rebounds per game.[22]

In 2013, Henry played for the Southland Sharks[23] and helped them win the New Zealand NBL championship behind his Final Four MVP performance.[24]

Henry returned to the Sharks in 2014,[25] but only appeared in 10 games after he was suspended by the Sharks on 30 May after he and two other teammates were charged with "assault with intent to injure" following a fight outside a bar in New Plymouth the previous Sunday.[26][27]

Henry returned to the Australian NBL for the 2014–15 season after he joined the Townsville Crocodiles.[28] He appeared in all 28 games for the Crocodiles, averaging 5.1 points and 3.2 rebounds per game.[29] After returning to the Wellington Saints for the 2015 New Zealand NBL season,[30][31][32] Henry re-joined the Crocodiles for the 2015–16 season.[33] He once again appeared in all 28 games, and in what was his final season in the Australian NBL, he averaged 4.2 points and 3.4 rebounds per game.

With the Saints in 2016,[34] Henry won his fourth New Zealand NBL championship. With the Saints in 2017,[35] he set an NBL record on 17 April against the Canterbury Rams with 10 3-pointers[36][37] and set a Saints team record with 21 rebounds on 26 May against the Nelson Giants.[38] He went on to help guide the Saints to an unbeaten season in 2017, as well as winning his fifth NBL championship.

Following the 2017 New Zealand NBL season, Henry returned to Australia to play out the SEABL season with the Ballarat Miners.[39][40] On 31 July 2017, he was named SEABL Player of the Week for Round 17.[41]

After another grand final appearance in 2018 that resulted in a loss for Henry and the Saints against the Sharks,[42][43] Henry returned to Wellington in 2019 for a ninth season.[44] He played his 200th NBL game during the 2019 season[45] and won his sixth NBL championship.[46]

On 13 December 2019, Henry signed with the Franklin Bulls for the 2020 New Zealand NBL season, becoming the franchise's first ever signing.[47] However, following a revised competition format due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a subsequent player draft, Henry was acquired by the Auckland Huskies in June 2020.[48]

After briefly retiring in early 2021,[49] Henry came out of retirement in June 2021 to re-join the Wellington Saints for the rest of the 2021 New Zealand NBL season.[50]

On 4 April 2022, Henry signed with the Franklin Bulls for the 2022 New Zealand NBL season, returning to the franchise he was originally set to play for in 2020.[51]

On 8 April 2023, Henry joined the Manawatu Jets.[52] After one game,[53] he joined the Knox Raiders of the NBL1 South for seven games.[54]

In January 2024, Henry announced his retirement from basketball.[55]

National team career

[edit]

Henry earned his first selection to the Tall Blacks squad on 16 July 2009,[56] and participated in the 2009 FIBA Oceania Championship. He went on to represent New Zealand at the 2011 FIBA Oceania Championship and the 2012 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament.[57]

Personal life

[edit]

Henry's mother is Samoan-Niuean and his father is from Rarotonga, Cook Islands.[17] His long-time partner was R&B artist, Aaradhna.[2][58] Henry is fascinated by tattoos as an artform; his tattoos reflect his cultural heritage and upbringing.[17]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Ewing, Isobel (19 March 2015). "Basketball brawler Leon Henry sentencing delayed". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "Basketball: Breakers' swingman's 'crazy run' is heading for the top". The New Zealand Herald. 16 December 2011. Archived from the original on 16 December 2011.
  3. ^ "Leon Henry". sharksbasketball.co.nz. Archived from the original on 21 September 2014.
  4. ^ Worthington, Sam (2 March 2011). "Young Meehl follows father into Saints colours". Stuff.co.nz. Archived from the original on 5 March 2011. ...with former Avondale College team-mates Lindsay Tait and Leon Henry also on the Saints' roster.
  5. ^ a b "Junior Tall Blacks receive boost". tvnz.co.nz. 29 June 2004. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014.
  6. ^ "NJCAA stats". njcaa.org. Archived from the original on 1 November 2013.
  7. ^ "CSI Basketball 2006–07 media guide" (PDF). College of Southern Idaho. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 December 2019.
  8. ^ "Pistons vs Saints". basketball.org.nz. 17 June 2008. Archived from the original on 19 February 2013.
  9. ^ "Saints vs Pistons". basketball.org.nz. 20 June 2008. Archived from the original on 19 February 2013.
  10. ^ "Tab Baldwin aduce jucatori la Cluj". romanialibera.ro (in Romanian). 4 August 2008. Archived from the original on 17 April 2017.
  11. ^ "Pistons vs Saints". basketball.org.nz. 29 June 2010. Archived from the original on 18 July 2010.
  12. ^ "Saints vs Pistons". basketball.org.nz. 30 June 2010. Archived from the original on 6 March 2012.
  13. ^ "Saints vs Pistons". basketball.org.nz. 1 July 2010. Archived from the original on 6 March 2012.
  14. ^ "Basketball: Penney rolls back to boost Breakers". The New Zealand Herald. 27 October 2010. Archived from the original on 28 November 2010.
  15. ^ "Player statistics for Leon Henry – 2010/11". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  16. ^ Plumb, Simon (17 August 2011). "Leon Henry slots in for NZ Breakers title defence". Stuff.co.nz. Archived from the original on 31 October 2013.
  17. ^ a b c Hinton, Marc (27 November 2011). "It's game on for determined Leon Henry". Stuff.co.nz. Archived from the original on 6 December 2011.
  18. ^ a b "Player statistics for Leon Henry – 2011/12". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  19. ^ Worthington, Sam (12 October 2011). "Henry's unexpected Otago move upsets Mills". Stuff.co.nz. Archived from the original on 13 October 2011.
  20. ^ Seconi, Adrian (23 April 2012). "Basketball: Nuggets eager to land Henry". odt.co.nz. Archived from the original on 22 December 2019.
  21. ^ "HENRY RELEASED FROM FINAL YEAR OF CONTRACT". nzbreakers.co.nz. 1 May 2013. Archived from the original on 1 November 2013.
  22. ^ "Player statistics for Leon Henry – 2012/13". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  23. ^ Savory, Logan (18 March 2013). "Henry will boost Sharks squad". Stuff.co.nz. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015.
  24. ^ Worthington, Sam (14 July 2013). "Hungry Sharks claim unlikely NBL title". Stuff.co.nz. Archived from the original on 26 August 2014.
  25. ^ Sharks buoyed after as Leon Henry re-signs
  26. ^ Cavalry not coming to Waikato Pistons' rescue
  27. ^ "Ili and Henry Sentenced". nzhoops.co.nz. 1 August 2014. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014.
  28. ^ Crocs give Henry another chance
  29. ^ "Player statistics for Leon Henry – 2014/15". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  30. ^ Henry Back With Saints
  31. ^ Wellington Saints land former Tall Black Leon Henry for upcoming NBL season
  32. ^ Leon Henry free to play for Wellington Saints against Hawke's Bay in NBL clash
  33. ^ "LEON HENRY RE-SIGNS WITH THE CROCS". NBL.com.au. 12 June 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
  34. ^ Wellington Saints retain Leon Henry and Dion Prewster for 2016 NBL season
  35. ^ Wellington Saints sign American Aaron Valdes for NBL title defence as Torrey Craig departs
  36. ^ Wellington Saints lose Corey Webster to injury, but still beat Canterbury Rams
  37. ^ Basketball: Saints romp past Rams to stay unbeaten
  38. ^ Basketball: Wellington Saints move to 15–0 in NBL
  39. ^ SEABL: New import to make debut for Miners
  40. ^ BALLARAT MINERS ADD LEON HENRY
  41. ^ ROUND 17 PLAYER OF THE WEEK- LEON HENRY
  42. ^ Hislop, Liam (15 March 2018). "New look, but same Wellington Saints back in search of a three-peat". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  43. ^ "SHARKS CLAIM THIRD TITLE WITH GUTSY WIN OVER DEFENDING CHAMPION SAINTS". nznbl.basketball. 6 August 2018. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
  44. ^ NZhoops (6 December 2018). "The Wellington Saints have re-signed Jordan..." Twitter. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
  45. ^ "Wellington Saints crush travel-weary Southern Huskies in one-sided NBL clash". Stuff.co.nz. 19 April 2019. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
  46. ^ Smith, Tony (21 July 2019). "Wellington Saints claim 11th NBL title with stunning comeback win over Hawks". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
  47. ^ "BULLS MAKE HISTORY WITH LEON HENRY SIGNING FOR 2020". nznbl.basketball. 13 December 2019. Archived from the original on 13 December 2019.
  48. ^ Egan, Brendon (11 June 2020). "Otago Nuggets select Jordan Ngatai first in NBL Showdown draft". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  49. ^ "Leon Henry on Twitter". twitter.com/Leon15Henry. 26 January 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  50. ^ "Leon Henry is back in blue". saints.co.nz. 10 June 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  51. ^ "Henry returns to Bulls". bullsbasketball.nz. 4 April 2022. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  52. ^ "PLAYER ANNOUNCEMENT". facebook.com/jetsbasketballnz. 8 April 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  53. ^ "Leon Henry". nznbl.basketball. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  54. ^ "Leon Henry". nbl1.com.au. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  55. ^ "7-time NZ NBL champion Leon Henry has announced his retirement from basketball". facebook.com/NZNBL. 23 January 2024. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  56. ^ FOUR DEBUTANTES IN TB'S
  57. ^ Leon Henry's profile – FIBA.com
  58. ^ Leon Henry on song for Sharks' title defence
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