Junior College Power Forward Shane Henry Commits to Virginia Tech

Jan 25, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Marquette Golden Eagles head coach Buzz Williams during the post game press conference following the game against the Villanova Wildcats at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Villanova won 94-85. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The Virginia Tech Hokies still needed some frontcourt depth for next season after the losses of Trevor Thompson and Marshall Wood via transfers. The addition of Satchel Pierce was a big boost while USF transfer Zach LeDay will help in the future but is inelligible to play this fall due to NCAA rules. The Hokies still were looking to add some more depth in the short term and they have gotten a commitment today from a player who can do exactly that.

Junior College power forward Shane Henry became the fifth player to be a part of the Virginia Tech basketball Class of 2015 and the second big man. Shane Henry played at Georgia Perimeter College this past season and averaged 13.2 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 4.7 blocks per game which are quite impressive numbers despite that this was at the junior college level. Henry has two years of elligibility left and definitely will get a chance to make a big impact in Blacksburg.

Shane Henry was extremely productive at the junior college level and he obviously is a guy that could be very effective in his first of two seasons in Blacksburg. Henry proved to be a shot blocking machine and with the loss of Trevor Thompson, the Hokies could use another shot blocker to go next to Joey Van Zegeren. Henry also has shown that he can get a ton of rebounds and the Hokies will need to have some great rebounders if there offensive efficiency doesn’t improve.

Shane Henry is very versatile and that is something that Buzz Williams has been looking to make sure he has on his roster. Henry is a solid ball handler and also has very good shooting range on top of having above-average athleticism. Henry’s skills makes you wonder if Henry could be used as not only a power forward but also as a small forward if the Hokies want to go with a bigger lineup against some teams.

However, I really don’t know if Henry is built to be a dominant force in the post at the collegiate level. Henry is undersized at 6-8 180 pounds and needs to bulk up to at least 200 pounds before the start of the season. The collegeiate game is a lot tougher than the junior college game and Henry might not be able to be a physical post threat. Henry is a very athletic player that can afford to bulk up some without giving up much athleticism.

Buzz Williams has a history of success with JUCO players at Marquette and hopefully Shane Henry will be another example of that though Henry’s lack of size at power forward makes you wonder if he can handle the physicality, and wear and tear of the collegiate game.

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