Shelton Henderson chose to stay with the Miami Hurricanes men's basketball program, ready to embrace a bigger role and replicate football's success.
The Miami Hurricanes men’s basketball program exceeded expectations coming off a 26-9 overall season. After finishing third in the Atlantic Coast Conference and reaching the NCAA Tournament, coach Jai Lucas looks to take things a step further. As the offseason continues to unfold, with the transfer portal in full effect, Shelton Henderson has committed to returning next year.
As a freshman, the five-star recruit averaged 13.8 points on 56.7 percent shooting, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.1 steals, starting in all 35 games. The 19-year-old was impactful even with playing behind three seniors in Tre Donaldson, Malik Reneau, and Ernest Udeh Jr. As each of them departs for the NBA Draft, Henderson will have an opportunity to carve out an extended role. Despite potentially finding a new home with the transfer portal, the decision to return was considered “easy” for him.
“Just sitting down with my family,” he told CanesInSight. “[I] think it was the best interest for me and coming back, I think is going to be great for myself and the team, but just being a Hurricane is something I really grown into and just being here has been great for me. The environment, the people, all have allowed me to play at my best, be my best version of myself. Coming back was probably an easy decision and I think I made the right one.”
Coming from Bellaire High School in Texas, Henderson originally committed to the Duke Blue Devils when coach Lucas was an assistant. After accepting the head coaching job in Coral Gables, Florida, the highly-touted prospect followed.
As the Hurricanes' men’s basketball program found historic success, so did the football program in reaching the National Championship game. Watching the College Football Playoffs up close motivates Henderson to draw in that same crowd, but on the court.
“I remember watching them making that run in the playoffs,” he added. “We were like, ‘Bro, we got to here. We got to have that same hype, having the city buzzing like that.’ I think just watching them prove and succeed at a very high level, I think we wanted to do the exact same thing.”
The Hurricanes are in the mix for a couple of top-market transfer portal candidates in center Somto Cyril and guard Acaden Lewis, among others. As players depart, new talent will be brought in.
Henderson, alongside guard Dante Allen and five-star recruit Caleb Gaskins, will look to continue building the program and remain competitive.
Join the Community! Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news! It's completely free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our RoundTable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!
More Miami Hurricanes News: