Then-junior forward Aaron Henry puts up a mid-range shot. Henry's 20 point night helped the Spartans' win against Penn State on Feb. 9, 2021.
In an unexpected turn of events, Michigan State did not have a player selected Thursday night in the 2021 NBA draft after Aaron Henry did not hear his name called by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.
Henry, who skipped his senior season at MSU for the draft, was one of the first players signed following the conclusion of the second round. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported seconds after the 60th pick that Henry would be signing with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Henry had expectations to be selected in the second round at the least after having an excellent season for the Spartans. Henry averaged 15.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game for MSU, leading the team in each category.
The good season for Henry earned him All-Big Ten Third Team and the Big Ten All-Defensive team, prompting him to forego his final year of college eligibility and pursue a professional basketball career.
Henry entered MSU in 2018 as a three-star recruit and had an immediate impact off the bench to help the 2018-19 team reach the Final Four. His defensive versatility and knack for rebounding earned him head coach Tom Izzo’s trust early and become a household name for Spartan fans.
Over his career in East Lansing, Henry appeared in 97 career games, averaging 9.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game for the Spartans.
NBA scouts' biggest concern for Henry entering the draft was his shooting. He shot 29% from the three-point line this year and will have a lot of work to do on his shot to be able to contribute to an NBA team.
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