5-star Shelton Henderson officially signs with Miami

[Trinton Breeze]

University of Miami men’s basketball coach Jai Lucas announced Monday the signing of five-star recruit Shelton Henderson.

A 6-foot-6, 220-pound small forward, Henderson is ranked the No. 21 player in the nation, the fourth-best small forward in the class of 2025, and the second-best player in the state of Texas per the 247Sports Composite ranking.

“Shelton is someone I have known for a long time, and I am very familiar with him and his family,” Lucas said. “He has an exceptional work ethic...

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[Canezum5]

Big time!!!

 

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[Gables Canes]

d$ keeps comparing him to Justice Winslow. I’m not super familiar with Winslow’s game. Curious if anyone else thinks that’s a good comp

 

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d$ keeps comparing him to Justice Winslow. I’m not super familiar with Winslow’s game. Curious if anyone else thinks that’s a good comp

Both have big man skills because when you’re that tall growing up you’re going to have to learn the block on both ends. There are a ton of commonalities.

I think Winslow entered college more of a point forward, more of a playmaker and a position-less defender with lower body strength. Winslow could create off either role in a PnR right away. Both can guard 1-4 sometimes 1-5.

Henderson has longer arms (eye balling), more comfy in the dunkers spot. Better finisher than Winslow, way more dunking. Feel like Henderson is stronger upper body wise, uses his shoulders to finish well. Henderson has better bounce, can adjust well in the air.

 

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“He's got great court sense, high basketball IQ, and he knows how to get a shot," Barreras said. "He's not the type of kid that's going to force fast shots."

That basketball IQ shows up on the stat sheet, as Henderson averaged 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals and 1 block over the last two seasons.

"Henderson is incredibly difficult to prepare for because he can effectively play all five positions on the court," said Houston Math Science & Tech High coach Michael Shepard.

"What makes him outstanding is his ability to go inside and out and handle the ball," Lamar head coach Jerry VanDeusen said. "The best player I'd ever seen was the kid went to St. John's and went to Duke. Justise Winslow. He's better than Justise Winslow right now."

More than anything, coaches marvel at Henderson's dexterity in relation to his physical frame.

"He's a point guard in a power forward's body," Barreras said. "He tries to put his head down and gets to the basket? Good luck. He can go through you or over you and has a great handle for a kid his size. His body is chiseled."

 

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“One of the obvious points of emphasis is shot-making ability beyond the three-point line," Great American Shootout recruiting analyst Blue Zertuche said. "Look at his play for Team USA in the FIBA under-18 World Cup. With so many great players who won a gold medal, he was able to fit a niche position. He can go get a basket and he's an elite defender."

"Sometimes he gets caught in a situation where he has too many turnovers, but he'll clean that up," VanDeusen said. "He won't be asked to carry the load at Duke like at Bellaire right now. He's a smart player who can score from anywhere on the floor."

 

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If he can develop a consistent mid-range game, something off the dribble, a pull-up jump shot," Barreras said. "He's going to make a lot of money."
“Marcus Smart has been thrown out there," Zertuche said. "Guys like Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, that's the mold he fits into, considering that the shooting is probably the biggest thing that might stick out as a variable."

One coach went old-school, with a college player of the year, multiple-time NBA All-Star and NBA champion.

"He reminds me of Mark Aguirre," VanDeusen said. "It's his motor and willingness to get to the rim at all costs. Back with the Detroit Pistons, he was more of a role player. His time with the Dallas Mavericks, dude was unguardable. Shelton could have that type of ceiling."

A few coaches looked at Henderson's offensive upside to compare to modern day stars.
"Henderson's playing style is comparable to Dwyane Wade's," Shepard said. "Both players demonstrate a powerful, physical presence on the court, exceling in attacking the basket, defending various positions, and making significant contributions on both ends of the floor. A more contemporary comparison would be Jrue Holiday."

"James Harden," Cesar Chavez coach Len Krieger said. "Big, strong guard that's multi-faceted. Can score a multitude of ways."

Another coach evoked the biggest name in the game, with a caveat.

"I'm not going to say he's LeBron James, but if I'm comparing him to somebody, he's kind of like the LeBron, the high school version," Barreras said. "Because he can elevate and force his way to the basketball, he's a man amongst boys out there."
The most popular name that popped up was another Houston legend who was Texas' Mr. Basketball in 2014 and would win a national title -- at Duke -- in 2015.
"When you look at Justise Winslow, just the competitive nastiness of who you have to be to be on that court at Duke, it is unique and special," Zertuche said. "Only certain people can step on that court to be that type of player. Henderson has that DNA."

"The big comparison I have is Justise Winslow," VanDeusen added. "Winslow brought so many intangibles, and he played 10 years in the league.
"Henderson, being a similarly strong wing player, can be better.

 

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I don’t know mark aguirre’s game at all so no comment. I think the Marcus Smart x MKG is the best comp outside of Winslow

 

[BWCD]

I like the Justise Winslow comp, but as young as Henderson is and knowing he needs to work on his jumper...maybe he should look at Kawhi Leonard as inspiration? Leonard didn't always have a great jumper, he developed it from college to the pros. However, his length/frame and defense/rebounding was enough until the jumper caught up and rounded out his game.

 

[AtlAtty]

I don’t know mark aguirre’s game at all so no comment. I think the Marcus Smart x MKG is the best comp outside of Winslow

I love this Mark Aguirre comp.
Like Winslow, Aguirre was 6’6” but was a very effective player inside. Aguirre had a mid range game to keep the defense honest. Some guys just know how to use their bodies to be effective even against taller competition. All are physically strong; Winslow, Aguirre. I would add Adrian Dantley to the list.

I’m not saying Henderson will become any one of those guys who were all 1st round picks, and between them, multiple time all-stars and nba champs. I’m just saying Henderson has the body to have that type of game.

 

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I like the Justise Winslow comp, but as young as Henderson is and knowing he needs to work on his jumper...maybe he should look at Kawhi Leonard as inspiration? Leonard didn't always have a great jumper, he developed it from college to the pros. However, his length/frame and defense/rebounding was enough until the jumper caught up and rounded out his game.

They have a lot of similarities build wise, although I am not sure Henderson is as strong of a rebounder as Kawhi in HS/College. Too many wings are not taking advantage of the mid post like Kawhi does.

 

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I love this Mark Aguirre comp.
Like Winslow, Aguirre was 6’6” but was a very effective player inside. Aguirre had a mid range game to keep the defense honest. Some guys just know how to use their bodies to be effective even against taller competition. All are physically strong; Winslow, Aguirre. I would add Adrian Dantley to the list.

I’m not saying Henderson will become any one of those guys who were all 1st round picks, and between them, multiple time all-stars and nba champs. I’m just saying Henderson has the body to have that type of game.

 

[BWCD]

They have a lot of similarities build wise, although I am not sure Henderson is as strong of a rebounder as Kawhi in HS/College. Too many wings are not taking advantage of the mid post like Kawhi does.

Fair enough. I'm just saying that the Kawhi model wouldn't be a bad one for Henderson to try and emulate with his build and current game. Lots of things that Henderson could work to develop along that same track.

 

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Fair enough. I'm just saying that the Kawhi model wouldn't be a bad one for Henderson to try and emulate with his build and current game. Lots of things that Henderson could work to develop along that same track.

I agree with you — it’s the best model to try. I just have no idea who he watches in the league to know who he will copy to get better