One on One with New Heroes’ Payton Henson

Payton Henson is one of the newest additions to the New Heroes team for the upcoming season. He has just finished his college career with the University of Vermont and will get the chance to start his professional career in Den Bosch.

How did you end up signing a contract in Den Bosch?

My agents were the one’s that were in contact with Den Bosch at first. As the process evolved, I ended up having multiple conversations with Bob (the president) and Coach Silvano. In the end, New Heroes felt like I would be a good fit for them and I also thought they would be a great place for me to start my career.

Was there a specific reason you looked for a team in Europe, instead of Australia for example?

Most of the interest I was receiving was coming from Europe and I felt like there were good opportunities for me to start my professional career.

Did you already know something about Dutch basketball?

I did not until I began speaking with Den Bosch. They were extremely helpful through the process and answered all my questions.

What are your expectations for next year with the team and what are you looking forward to the most?

I think that we have a very good team this year and we all expect to compete for the Dutch Championship this year. I’m most excited to just began this new journey of my life. I know there will be ups and downs throughout the year, but I am ready to take on this new challenge.

What will you add to the team?

I will be a guy that is able to play outside and stretch the floor, as well as play inside. I think I am also a guy that is able to guard multiple positions, so I think my ability to be interchangeable on both ends of the floor will be very beneficial for the team.

You played for Tulane for two years, before transferring to Vermont. Why did you choose to transfer?

I was extremely grateful for the two years I had at Tulane, but I had goals and aspirations that I felt I wasn’t going to be able to reach so I felt it was best for me to move on.

Was it the right decision for you?

Looking back on the decision, I fully believe that it was the right decision for me.

What’s the one thing you’ll take with you from you time playing college basketball?

The biggest thing I will take away from my time playing college basketball is the relationships I made throughout my career. I have made some unbreakable bonds and have an amazing support cast around me to lean on as I move on in my career.

If you could do it over again? Would you take the same route, or go to Vermont for the full four years?

I am a firm believer that everything in our life happens for a reason, so I would not change a single thing if I could do it over again. There were lessons I learned from Tulane and Vermont and I think playing at both of those institutions helped mold me into the player I am today.

When you started college, you played as a 4/PF, but you transformed yourself into a great shooter. How do you do that? Did you have a lot of shooting practice to improve it, or was your shooting slowly improving over the years?

I have always played a “stretch 4” throughout my career so my shot was always pretty good. When I got to Vermont, I made a few mechanical changes in my shot and I think it is what took my shot to the next level.

You’re very committed to your workouts and what you eat. How do you stay in shape in between graduating from college and preparing for the new season?

I got connected with Rob Yanders, who runs The Basketball Movement, and he was a great guy to train and learn under. He played in Europe for 12 years, so being able to be around him all summer allowed me to learn what it takes to be a pro and the importance of being committed to workouts, what you eat, and recovery.

Two of your teammates, Drew Urquhart and Cam Ward, are going to play in Europe as well. Have you discussed playing in Europe with them?

We have a little bit. We are all in different areas, but we are all grateful for the opportunity to continue our careers and the chance to prove we can play at the highest levels possible.