SIU’s Jarrett Hensley

Focused Properly

(St. Louis, MO) – Jarrett Hensley is a basketball player with a clear focus. After growing up a Wichita State Shocker fan and spending time in several basketball programs, his second season at Southern Illinois finds him playing a prominent role on the Saluki squad.

Hensley is averaging 10.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists during his most successful personal season. Hensley left Leavanworth High School  and enrolled in Link Year Prep for a post graduate season. During one season at UNC Greensboro, two at Cincinnati and never averaged better than two points per game.

Hensley cleared eligibility issues last midseason and played in 23 Saluki games averaging 5.4 points and 2.5 rebounds. Playing twice as many minutes for new SIU coach Scott Nagy has brought out the best in the former three-star recruit.

Hensley was an outstanding high school player, but felt the need to play a prep school year and after last season’s coaching change, he could have entered the portal, but remained in Carbondale. Jarrett Hensley is a young man with clear focus.

Last year’s win over twenty-fifth-ranked Indiana State was one of Hensley’s career highlights. His late in the half tip-in and end of game blocked shot secured the win. Hensley says games like that are exciting and satisfying.

SIU Insights from Jarrett Hensley

Hensley has played in three collegiate programs and two high school programs and displays a high basketball IQ. While enjoying and respecting each of his Saluki head coaches and the present and past coaching staffs, he says current practices are high energy and are conducted at a rapid pace.

Ali Dibba (14.8 ppg) and Kennard Davis Jr (14.5) lead the Salukis in scoring. Hensley enjoys both of those teammates and says that Davis is the team’s best defender and his roommate (Dibba) is extremely quick and has a laid back personality.

Sheridan Sharp was scheduled for a redshirt this season, but with the injury to Elijah Elliott, Sharp has been thrust into the lineup. Since being thrust into action Sharp is the team’s fourth leading scorer (6.7 ppg).

Hensley says he’s proud of the effort and preparedness of his young teammate. The grad-student says he’s also been helping Sharp and his other teammates prepare for Missouri Valley Conference play.

SIU has a high-level nonconference game against High Point on Saturday before entering league play on December 29.

You can watch our entire conversation with Jarrett Hensley on YouTube or listen to it at Valley Hoops Insider Podcasts.

Do Good

 

Editor: Cover photo of Jarrett Hensley, courtesy of siusalukis.com.