Dribble Podcast: Perth Wildcats star Ben Henshall’s plan to travel to America to improve NBA Draft prospects

Perth Wildcats star Ben Henshall will move to America at the end of the NBL season with no plans to return as he commits to doing whatever is required to get drafted by a NBA club. Henshall, 20, has enjoyed a breakthrough season for the Wildcats and become a key part of their starting five. His performances have captured the attention of NBA teams who have been regular visitors to Australia and Henshall is being listed as a second round pick in several mock drafts. The West Aussie is now putting together plans to travel to the US after the NBL season is finished, set up a base, look for invitations to work out in front of NBA teams, declare for the draft and hope to get selected. “That’s the plan,” Henshall told The West Australian’s The Dribble Podcast. “I don’t know the full details on it just yet. We’re waiting to see what happens with this season. But the plan is to get out there and stay out there - to get out there and get drafted. The plan right now is to declare, get out there, do some work outs and hopefully get drafted. “It’s going to be a pretty surreal experience. You grow up watching guys in the NBA. You grow up watching NBA teams and supporting NBA teams. I feel like when I get out there and being around NBA teams and coaching staff and facilities, it will set in for me when I get out there.” Former Wildcat Luke Travers followed the same pathway before getting drafted by Cleveland Cavaliers in 2022. Travers worked out with the Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns, while also being part of the NBA G-League Elite Camp. Henshall isn’t looking too far into the future though, saying maintaining his NBL form remains the key to getting opportunities. The Wildcats will play the Brisbane Bullets at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Wednesday night. But he’s seized upon all of his experiences in recent years, including playing for the Australian Boomers and being invited to the Olympic training camp where he built a relationship with Patty Mills. “Patty’s a great bloke. I ended up getting in a little work out in with him and learning about all of the little fundamentals that he does before practice,” he said. “I messaged him a couple of weeks ago and I’ve asked him to send me his new program that he’s doing. I get to stay in touch with guys like that. He’s a NBA vet who had a very successful career in the NBA as one of the best shooters so learning off a guy like that was pretty unreal.”