Leon Henry

Leon Henry
No. 15 – Wellington Saints
Position Small forward / Shooting guard
League NZNBL
Personal information
Born (1985-10-14) 14 October 1985
Auckland, New Zealand
Nationality New Zealand
Listed height 202 cm (6 ft 8 in)
Listed weight 105 kg (231 lb)
Career information
High school Mount Albert Grammar School
(Auckland, New Zealand)
Avondale College
(Auckland, New Zealand)
College College of Southern Idaho (2005–2006)
Playing career 2004–present
Career history
2004 Harbour Heat
2008–2011 Wellington Saints
2008–2009 U Mobitelco Cluj
2010 New Zealand Breakers
2011–2013 New Zealand Breakers
2012 Otago Nuggets
2013–2014 Southland Sharks
2014–2016 Townsville Crocodiles
2015–present Wellington Saints
Career highlights and awards

Leon Pavihi Henry (born 14 October 1985) is a New Zealand professional basketball player for the Wellington Saints of the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL).

Basketball career

Early years

Henry played a lone season for the New Zealand NBL's Harbour Heat in 2004[1] before moving to the United States in 2005. He attended Southern Idaho Junior College in 2005–06 where he averaged 4.1 points and 3.6 rebounds in 29 games.[2] During these early years, Henry also played in the Conference Basketball League (CBL) for Hutt Valley in 2004, Waitakere in 2005 and 2006, Porirua in 2007, and the Wellington Saints second team in 2008.

After a three-year absence from the New Zealand NBL, Henry returned to the league in 2008 to play for the Wellington Saints. However, Henry felt his career was declining, but former Tall Blacks' head coach Tab Baldwin recognised Henry's talent and took him to Romania for a season with CS Universitatea Mobitelco Cluj-Napoca. Up until then, Henry had been better known for his athleticism and acrobatic dunks than his shooting touch, and thus Baldwin tutored him in the need to develop an outside game. But like his US college experience, Henry found the culture of European basketball bewildering. Both he and Baldwin had their contracts with Cluj terminated following the 2008–09 season, and the pair both returned to the New Zealand,[3] as Henry re-joined the Wellington Saints for the 2009 New Zealand NBL season. Henry's change in attitude helped his game out immensely as went on to lead the Saints to a championship the following season. In addition, the CBL returned to action in 2010 after taking a year off in 2009. Henry subsequently returned to his roots, re-joining Hutt Valley for the five-day tournament held in Porirua. Henry dominated proceedings as he earned MVP honours after leading Hutt Valley to a grand final victory.[4]

New Zealand Breakers

After what was a break through year in 2010, Henry joined the New Zealand Breakers for the first three games of the 2010–11 NBL season as a replacement for Kirk Penney. Upon Penney's returned, Henry was asked to stick around with the Breakers as a training player and he did so for the entire season, showing his commitment and dedication. This and a solid 2011 season with the Saints earned him a full contract with the Breakers for the 2011–12 and 2012–13 NBL seasons.[5]

Nuggets and Sharks

On 11 October 2011, Henry signed with the Otago Nuggets for the 2012 New Zealand NBL season, joining fellow Tall Blacks Mark Dickel and B. J. Anthony at the franchise.[6]

In March 2013, Henry signed with the Southland Sharks for the 2013 New Zealand NBL season.[7] The Sharks went on to win the 2013 NBL championship with Henry winning the Final Four MVP award.[8]

On 1 May 2013, Henry was released by the New Zealand Breakers.[9]

In November 2013, Henry re-signed with the Southland Sharks for the 2014 season.[10] On 30 May 2014, he was suspended indefinitely by the Sharks 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.[11] On 1 August 2014, he was sentenced to four months home detention and forced to pay $4000 after pleading guilty to two charges of injuring with intent and assault with intent to injure.[12]

Townsville Crocodiles and second Wellington stint

On 27 August 2014, Henry signed with the Townsville Crocodiles for the 2014–15 NBL season.[13] On 10 February 2015, he signed with the Wellington Saints for the 2015 New Zealand NBL season.[14][15] After missing a month of action due to a facial injury he sustained on 17 April, Henry returned to the Saints' line-up on 23 May to record 11 points and 8 rebounds in a win over the Nelson Giants.[16]

On 12 June 2015, Henry re-signed with the Crocodiles for the 2015–16 season.[17] On 9 December 2015, he re-signed with the Saints for the 2016 season.[18]

International career

In 2004, Henry competed for New Zealand at the FIBA Oceania Youth Tournament.[19] He earned his first selection to the Tall Blacks squad on 16 July 2009, and participated in the 2009 FIBA Oceania Championship. He recorded two rebounds and one assist in the one game he played.[20]

Personal

On 8 April 2015, Henry was sentenced to community detention, community work and supervision after pleading guilty to injuring with intent and assault with intent to injure following the May 2014 pub brawl.[21]

Henry's long-time partner is R&B artist, Aaradhna.[22][23]

References

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