Hoop Dreams: Puma Point Guard Jordan Henry

Last month Hoops Hype Canada pronounced 2017 Nova Scotia native Lindell Wiggington as the #1-ranked point guard in the nation. Little did we know that residing in Toronto is someone who maybe in the same conversation.

Meet class of 2017 5’9″ Jordan Henry of the Pine Ridge Pumas. Since arriving on the scene last AAU live period in Florida, the point guard nick named ‘Rock’ by his peers has taken his game to a whole different level.

As a underclass men only in grade ten, Henry has quarter backed the Pumas to a stellar historic season while mastering his craft in the east end of Toronto. Pine Ridge based out of Pickering finished a flawless regular season 15-0, and 29-7 overall. When HHC correspondents connected with Pine Ridge head coach Trisha Biffin. Coach vouched for his teams facilatator both on and off the court.

“Academically Jordan has been a strong student with us at Pine Ridge and has performed well both on and off the court. He is well liked by all his teachers and peers and always has a pleasant disposition in the classroom and at practice.” adding ” He is a true leader and a threat to all of his opponents.”

Jordan Henry remains to be one of the only starting grade 10 point guards in the province playing at the senior level. In the LOSSA finals head to head with Canadian Cadet 2016 Marcus Ottey, Henry scored 25 points including 14 points alone in the fourth quarter. Think Sacramento Kings starting point guard Isaiah Thomas. Very small, very explosive, and quite the competitor who likes to get to the rim.

Asked about what separates Henry from other tenth graders and the Pickering, Ontario high school head coach explained,

“He can not be shaken while on the court and does not let his emotions get the better of him. Alongside Chase Vassell he creates a plethora of scoring opportunities and we hope to create more chances with this duo at OFSAA.”

Ahead of the 2014 OFSAA ‘AAAA’ championships next week in Mississauga, Ontario HHC (Hoops Hype Canada) correspondents caught up with Jordan. Henry and his Puma’s will be the #7 seed.

HHC: Tell us about yourself. Your game, any professional players you draw inspiration from? Any athletes that you aspire to be?

JH: I like to view myself as a pass first guard who enjoys watching their teammates score. My ability to pass keeps the defense guessing because I’m always in a triple threat position which gives me multiple options. I draw inspiration from Steve Nash, Tony Parker and Chris Paul. They all played on winning teams and they don’t always rely on their athleticism to contribute. They are very crafty and use quickness and basketball iq to succeed. I draw inspiration from Lebron James and Chris Paul because their team players and other players love to play with them. They always make their teammates perform better.

HHC: When did you first get interested in Basketball? Any accolades along the way your most proud of?

JH: I started playing basketball in grade 4 and all the tournaments and championships over the years are my most valuable accolades.

HHC: Any challenges your experiencing as a student-athlete on & off the court? How is your support staff with teachers?

JH: No I have no problems with my academics and if I do have problems the teachers at Pine Ridge are 100% supportive and helpful. I’m close to all my teachers and I’m extremely close to my assistant coach/guidance counselor Mrs. Biffin. I’m extremely thankful to have her involved because she’s always there for me when I need her help.

HHC: About Pine Ridge. What your doing as a 2017 at the senior level is fantastic. Your thoughts on your teams season so far and potential of going the distance down the stretch?

JH: Well we have some good wins and some terrible losses. We need to work on our consistency and not play down to the level of our competition. If we play to our potential we can compete with anyone in the country because we have a great presence and rim protecter in Jay Williams, we have another shifty and quick guard in Dre mcintosh, and we have the best scorer in high school basketball in Chase Vassell who can you go for 40+ any given night! I’m blessed for these teammates and my job is to make sure I get everyone involved in and make sure everyone focused, and playing as 1 unit! Our #1 goal is to win OFSAA.

HHC: Back to you… any daily routines? As you prepare for D1? Anything new you’ve incorporated lately to help propel you to the next level?

JH: Yeah I’ve started to eat way more healthy, I’m also doing push-ups and other exercises to gain more strength. I’m in the gym everyday shooting different types of shots like floaters, pull ups and other off the dribble shots. My strength and my shooting are my 2 major weaknesses so I’m going to continue to work hard on them and make them strengths of my game. I watch a lot of college basketball because it helps me gain more basketball iq and I can improve the mental part of my game.

HHC: For AAU who will be travelling with? Also any dream schools across NCAA you grew up admiring?

JH: l will be traveling with The Associaton this summer. My dream schools are North Carolina, Baylor and Michigan.

After hearing his commitment to the Association Canada, the flagship AAU program for Under Armour, HHC reached out to head coach Shane James for some feedback. First question? What makes Henry a top candidate for top point guard in his class, coach James responded,

“I think Jordan Henry is at the top of his class not only as a PG but as a complete player. He’s a coaches dream. A player that has tremendous leadership skills, a superb athlete and can do anything you ask of him. The kid can flat out score in multiple different ways, break people down using dribble moves, create for teammates and guard the oppositions best player night in and night out. Jordan is also an academic kid. He works just as hard in the classroom as he does on the basketball court. Not only is it a pleasure to coach a kid like Jordan, he makes my job a lot easier”

So what is next for JH? Is it time to take his talents south of the border?

“That would be a decision for JH to make with his family. With that being said, he has been getting a lot of interest lately from some of the top high schools and preps down south. He will have some tough decision to make. I have to give a lot of credit to coach Cam Nekkers who is doing a great job running a first class program at Pineridge. Jordan enjoys playing at Pineridge. Did you see the student/staff support they had at the LOSSA Championships? It’s a great when your whole school gets behind you and supports school sports. It creates a great environment to play in.” Concluded coach James.

There you have it folks, the talent vault doesn’t stop north of the border no matter the position. Look out for his patterned spin move to the hoop and circle the name Jordan Henry. 5’9″ class of 2017. If you didn’t know now you know.