Henshall's DNP retaliation

Perth Wildcats guard Ben Henshall made his own slice of NBL history last night. The 19-year-old top-scored in his debut game with 24 points as a means of retaliation after registering a DNP just nights before.

The Wildcats rookie has entered the new season with high expectations on him - expectations which were tempered after head coach John Rillie overlooked him in Perth's opening season win against Tasmania.

Rillie says he's impressed in the manner with which Henshall conducted himself against the Phoenix.

“For him not to hang his head and come out with that performance, that’s very encouraging,” Rillie said.

“He was pissed at me the other night because I didn’t play him, so he retaliated pretty well.”

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Rillie’s selection seemed to benefit the team as they secured a 101-95 win over the Tasmania JackJumpers, and a broken record to add to the mix. Import forward Jordan Usher recorded 35 points, the most dropped by a Wildcat ever.

The Wildcats couldn't emerge from their clash with South East Melbourne with a win despite Henshall's heriocs, and the 11-point loss meant they split their opening weekend with a 1-1 record.

Henshall was far from the only strong new face for the Wildcats in Round one though. Import Jordan Usher scored 35 points in the side's win over Tasmania - a record high for a Wildcat on debut.

Rillie has praised the offensive depth his new-look side contains.

“That’s where I think this group has great upside, is we do have some nice depth, we’ve got some good youth, you saw that on display at the end of the game those guys fought,” Rillie said.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">How did your club perform in Round 1? ?<br><br>Download the NBL App for live scores and stats ? <a href="https://t.co/NRxqzOSK6H">pic.twitter.com/NRxqzOSK6H</a></p>&mdash; NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1708660409136550260?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Henshall recorded 24 points, five rebounds and two steals in an unfortunate 99-110 loss over the South East Melbourne Phoenix. The NBL newbie understood he may have limited minutes this season, but is happy to sit out if needed.

Henshall's opening weekend as a professional basketballer had all the hallmarks of a young player trying to make his way in the game.

While he's more than likely earned another consistent run in the near future for the Wildcats, the nature of Perth's guard rotation and the 19-year-old's relative lack of inexperience could mean he sees playing time hard to come by at various points in the season.

He says he understands the highs and lows that come with being a young player in a likely contending team.

“I understand it was my first game but I was sitting on the bench just wanting to get out there on the court, but it happens,” Henshall said.

“We’ve got some of the best guards in the NBL on our team, so I know my playing time may be limited at times, so when I’m on the court I’m gonna give everything I can.

“We are a pretty emotional team, we do want to give it 100% on the court but there’s not much we could really do tonight.

“I feel pretty comfortable there, I don’t really feel like I’m at a disadvantage. I’ve been developing my game at a pretty high rate so I feel pretty comfortable out there.”