When Wes Miller got the job last April, forward Jarrett Hensley was one of the players that came UNCG shortly after. Hensley who was UNCG’s highest rated recruit, per 247 Sports Composite ranking he was a four star recruit, 125th in the nation, 4th in Kansas and 22nd the power forward. At 6-foot-7, 190 pounds, he is now 6-foot-8, 220 pounds, just two years in.
Hensley didn’t kill it this season, if we are being honest he didn’t in his first two seasons, but at the end of the year something seemed to click for the sophomore forward. He showed an ability to guard fours and move his feet against wing players. The last four games he didn’t have eye popping numbers, but it was stuff he did that gave me hope as a person that covers the team that he could make a huge jump this off-season. He showed a willingness to shoot from deep and finish around the rim. The dunk against SMU was nasty and showed nice athleticism, which really intrigues me. Playing against eventual Elite 8 Houston, Hensley played with aggression and made a difference in his 11 minutes of game action.
His last four games he shot 60% from the field, 50% from three, 60% from the line, while pulling down 2.5 rebounds and 4.3 points on 14.2 minutes during that span. These numbers don’t make you do a back flip and it shouldn’t, but if you watched the games you finally saw some of the potential and confidence flash for the forward. He only averaged 1.5 points and 1.3 rebounds on the season, but just go back in look at the final four games if you want to feel like me.
Can Hensley step into a bigger role and be an impact player next season? I personally think it is possible and if he can it will help the 2022-2023 team turn the corner faster than expected.
