"No fear": Henshall ready for biggest test yet

The NBA Draft combine is a unique event for over 75 players hoping to stand out in front of teams and raise their personal stock. 

It can be a daunting experience for some, understanding the magnitude of what could transpire if you perform at your very best. 

But for Ben Henshall, it’s nothing but exciting. 

"I'm honestly just ready to compete, there's no fear or anything from my end and I don't think you can have any fear going into something like this (the combine),” he told basketball.com.au.

"You're competing at an event, where there's 75 of the best basketballers but only 60 picks at the draft. Everyone's career is basically on the line, so you just have to be ready to go out there and show what you can do."

Henshall showed throughout his time in the NBL that he’s more than capable of filling it up offensively, averaging almost 10 points per game in NBL25 for the Perth Wildcats. The 20-year-old made big improvements from his rookie season and is hoping that the other side of the ball is where NBA teams will be interested in his potential.

"I think defensively I can be a lot better than people may think," he said.

"That's a huge focus for me heading into the combine is really showing what I can do on that end of the floor. If I can show my improvement defensively and focus on that, then everything else will fall into place for me."

Henshall took off from Perth almost immediately after their season ended and began training and preparing for this opportunity. 

"I'm ready for everything that's thrown my way," he said.

"I've been working almost all day, every day since I've been (in LA) but I also feel that everything I've done so far in my career has prepared me for this moment."

He's one of four NBL stars invited to the Combine, alongside Next Stars Rocco Zikarsky, Alex Toohey and Izan Almansa. 

Read more here >> 'Chip on my shoulder': Henshall's no fear mentality