secret2

SoCalHoops News Report

Coincidence? We Think Not: J.R. Henderson
Was Also In Houston--(May 15, 1998)

It's now about 9:00 p.m. and we wanted to get this up as soon as possible, so if there are typos, or some of it doesn't make sense, bear (or Bruin) with us. We were coming back from our super-secret Texas two-step, flying Continental on the 5:30 p.m. (CST) flight tonight, and who just happened to be sitting across the aisle from SoCalHoops' own J. Gale? J.R. Henderson. Yeah, that J.R. Henderson. Now soon-to-be former-Bruin, and NBA prospect J.R. Henderson. And since we both had about three hours to spend seated 20 feet from each other on a DC-90 (which has very narrow aisles anyway), we had a chance to chat with J.R. about a few things, including his just finished UCLA career, his plans for the future, and a bunch of other stuff. The interview took place from starting somewhere over Midland-Odessa, Texas and continued through New Mexico and well into the Phoenix airspace, so it's probably fair to say that the interview covered a wide range. But enough lead-in. Here's what J.R. had to say:

SCH: What was your favorite moment as a Bruin?

J.R.: Winning the NCAA Championship.

SCH: Worst moment as a Bruin?

J.R.: The year after we won the National Championship. No doubt about it. One and out in the tournament really hurt.

SCH: Coach Lavin?

J.R.: A player's coach. Great coach.

SCH: Jim Harrick?

J.R.: Also a great coach. He took us to the NCAA.

SCH: Do you keep in touch with Harrick?

J.R.: Not really. Actually I haven't seen or talked to him since he left, but I hear the same stuff everyone else does, that he wants to come back to LA and maybe coach the Clippers.

SCH: Thoughts on Jelani?

J.R.: (Smile). Jelani....One of my best friends throughout everything. He's a great talent, and he's going to be great in the NBA. I was real sad about what happened this year, but hey, he and I are very close.

SCH: Baron Davis?

One of the most talented guys I've every played with, and I think he's going to be a big star in the NBA...I just hope not too soon though (laughs). Really, he's such a great competitor. It's hard to keep him away even with his injury. I mean, he's in the gym all the time, trying to shoot, and he probably shouldn't be doing that, and I just hope he doesn't try to come back too soon.

SCH: Toby Bailey?

J.R.: Toby and I have become great friends. Over the years we've become closer and closer, and I've developed a lot of love for him as a player and as a friend. And we've hired the same agent, Lee Steinberg. I think Toby's gonna make it and so am I, at least I hope we both do.

SCH: What were you doing in Houston, or do you want to keep it a secret?

J.R.: No secret. Well, sort of. Working out with the Rockets. Just with all the coaches, not with any of the current players. It was a really tough thing, the workouts, and my legs are pretty sore, but I really enjoyed it.

SCH: Would you like to play for the Rockets?

J.R.: (Laughing) Sure. Of course I would.

SCH: Where would you like to end up if you could play anywhere?

J.R.: Talk to me in about three years. For now, it's so competitive, I want to just do well. Actually I should say talk to my agent about that. (Grin).

SCH: Speaking of turning pro, what about all these high school kids who are announcing they'll go pro? Any thoughts?

J.R.: I'd tell them to stay in school. They're going to miss out on the most fun time in their lives. Really. There's nothing like playing college ball and the college experience.

SCH: Ellis Richardson?

J.R.: Who?

SCH: Do you keep in touch with some of the guys from the Championship team? Tyus?

J.R.: Yeah, I hear from him occasionally, and Zidek always says hello to me whenever I see him. I really loved playing with Tyus, he just loved to pass the ball, and let others do their stuff. He was one of my favorite point guards to play with ever, and a great friend. I wouldn't compare him to Baron, because Baron is a completely different kind of player.

SCH: How about Cameron Dollar? Have you talked to him lately?

J.R.: Nope. I haven't seen him in about a year, but I hear he's really happy coaching.

SCH: Any thoughts on the incoming class of freshmen?

J.R.: I haven't seen too many of them, and don't really know all that much. I haven't really seen Moiso play so I can't really say anything. I saw Gadzuric play in an all-star game, and he was just a man among boys. What is he, 27 years old or something (laughs). Really, he was at a whole different level than the guys he was playing against. I don't know much about the other guys, and I really haven't followed it too much since up until about a month ago, we were just trying to stay alive in the tournament and now I'm thinking about graduating and making a team in the NBA.

SCH: Any regrets about some of the players who might have come to UCLA during the time you were there but who chose to go elsewhere?

J.R.: Nope. I don't think there was anyone who could have come in and changed anything.

SCH: Would the Collins twins have changed anything had they come to UCLA?

J.R.: (Grin) I don't think so, because you know, we had such a roller-coaster year that I don't think they would have been able to change what happened with say Kris and Jelani.

SCH: Any thoughts on Kentucky?

J.R.: Well, we wanted to win, but (smiling again) it just was not our year. It's always nice to see that a team as talented as they are, who beat us, wins the National Championship. They were just very deep.

SCH: Majerus?

J.R.: One of the best coaches around. Seriously. I'd play for him any day.

SCH: Ryan Bailey and his chances for making it

J.R.: I think Bailey will be playing next season. A lot. And between him and Watson, you might just have the two starting point guards. I really think Ryan can play the point, and that next year you might even see him start some. He's got a tremendous vertical leap, has great court sense, loves to pass the ball, and would make a great point.

SCH: What happened to Brandon Loyd?

J.R.: I don't know. He sure didn't lose his shot. I know a lot of guys have written that he lost his shot, but he sure didn't. I guess it was just the coach's decision (regarding his playing time). But I think he'll be back for his senior season for sure.

SCH: Is Farnham going to be playing next year? There's been a lot of talk about his scholarship being "conditional". Any observations.

J.R.: I think Sean will be back and playing next year.

SCH: Do you think there's a possibility Baron could then red-shirt?

J.R.: Yeah. I've heard there's some talk about that. But Baron is just so competitive, I think he's going to want to come back really fast, and isn't going to want to sit at all. I just hope he's completely healed before he does it.

SCH: If you had to describe your experience at UCLA, in as many or as few words as you'd like, what would you say?

J.R.: (Laughs)..."Rollercoaster". Yeah. "Rollercoaster". The highest high, and what seemed like the lowest low. A great time, but a real rollercoaster.

SCH: What's your best all-time basketball memory ever, from the time you first picked up a ball until now?

J.R.: That's easy. Winning the California State High School Championship. It was the first time our high school (Bakersfield East) had ever done anything like that. It was truly a first time thing, and I felt pretty great about doing that.

SCH: Plans for the summer?

J.R.: NBA camps which start in June. Then wait to see where I go.

SCH: Thanks J.R., we'll all be watching for you in the NBA.

J.R.: Thanks.