NBA Draft 2021: A look at the 10 best Big Ten Basketball prospects

Aaron Henry – Michigan State – 6’6, 210 lbs – Junior – August 1999

Henry came to East Lansing as an unheralded recruit, but showed flashes in the 2019 NCAA tournament that led many to believe he would take a massive leap as a sophomore. That leap didn’t come as Henry struggled to produce.

With Cassius Winston off to the next level, those same expectations were on Henry’s shoulders again, this time as a primary. He again struggled early in the year, but a late-season surge showed why Henry will hear his name called in July.

Defense is where Henry will bring the most value. He should be able to defend 1-3 with his combination of strength, quickness, and natural instincts. He graded out well analytically with a block rate of 4.1 and steal rate of 2.4

Henry did eventually bring the production level needed this season, but the jump-shot remains a large concern. On similar volume, he dropped 5 percent this season to 29%. The mechanics are wonky. It’s a slow, lefty, set-shot with weird wrist action and a low release.

Henry did take a leap forward as a playmaker, particularly getting downhill where he can use his strength to dislodge defenders. He made some impressive reads out of self-creation and his paint touches. He’s a plus finisher whose ambidexterity allows him to finish at different angles.

Henry’s positive ancillary skills will only be useful if he can create gravity as a shooter. But with three years of evidence that the shooting is suboptimal, I’m not buying he becomes a positive one. There’s enough of a floor with the defense to have faith he’ll find a role, but the offensive concerns would make me cautious about using a first-round pick on him.