Shelton Henderson’s Star Turn Has Miami Rolling Ahead of North Florida Matchup
The Miami Hurricanes are riding a five-game win streak, and at the center of it all is a freshman who’s starting to look like the real deal. Shelton Henderson - a five-star recruit with a college-ready frame and a growing game - is stepping into the spotlight at just the right time for a Miami team that’s quietly building momentum.
Sunday’s matchup against North Florida gives the Hurricanes (10-2) a chance to keep that momentum going. And with Henderson coming off a breakout 30-point performance in a rivalry win over Florida International, the timing couldn’t be better.
Listed at 6-foot-6 and 240 pounds, Henderson doesn’t play like your typical freshman. He’s physical, aggressive, and already showing flashes of the versatility that made him such a coveted prospect.
Through 12 games, he’s averaging 13.2 points while converting a scorching 64% of his two-point attempts - a sign of both shot selection and strength around the rim. His outside shot is still a work in progress (27.3% from deep), and he’s been inconsistent at the free throw line (58.3%), but the foundation is clearly there.
“Being versatile - that’s the main thing,” Henderson said recently. “That includes playmaking, getting downhill, and defending.”
And that’s exactly what Miami’s been getting from him: a two-way forward who can initiate offense, finish through contact, and hold his own on the defensive end. He’s not carrying the load alone, either. This Hurricanes team is deep, balanced, and increasingly dangerous.
Malik Reneau continues to be Miami’s go-to scorer, averaging 20.5 points per game with a mix of post moves and mid-range touch. Point guard Tre Donaldson has been steady and productive, putting up 14.8 points and 6.8 assists per game while keeping the offense humming.
Tru Washington brings energy and defensive grit, chipping in 13.9 points and 2.5 steals a night. Down low, Ernest Udeh Jr. anchors the paint with 9.4 rebounds per game and adds 7.4 points of his own.
But not everything has gone smoothly for the Hurricanes. This week, the team was dealt a tough blow with the news that sophomore guard Marcus Allen has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Allen, a key contributor off the bench, has begun chemotherapy and will miss the remainder of the season. It’s an emotional loss for the locker room, and the Hurricanes will be playing with him in their hearts the rest of the way.
On the other side of Sunday’s matchup is a North Florida team still trying to find its footing. The Ospreys are 2-9 and winless on the road this season.
Their two victories came against lower-division opponents - Trinity College of Jacksonville (NCCAA) and New College of Florida (NAIA) - and they’ve struggled mightily against high-major competition. Losses by 33 to Tennessee, 40 to Florida, and 51 to Gonzaga paint a clear picture of the gap they’re trying to close.
Senior guard Kamrin Oriol has been a bright spot. After coming off the bench last season, he’s stepped into a lead role and is averaging 17.5 points and 3.7 assists per game.
But beyond Oriol, the Ospreys are young and still adjusting. They lost their entire starting five from last season and are now leaning heavily on a group that includes four true freshmen and two redshirt freshmen.
North Florida also underwent a coaching change this offseason. Longtime head coach Matthew Driscoll departed for an assistant role at Kansas State, and in stepped Bobby Kennen, a former high school coaching standout who had been on Driscoll’s staff since 2009. While this is Kennen’s first crack at leading a college program, he’s familiar with the culture and challenges that come with building from the ground up.
“We have a young team this season,” Kennen said. “There’s a lot of learning going on.”
History isn’t on the Ospreys’ side in this one. They’re 0-7 all-time against Miami, including a 95-55 loss last December. And with the Hurricanes trending upward - powered by Henderson’s emergence and a deep, experienced starting five - this could be another tough outing for North Florida.
Still, every game is a chance to grow for a young team. And for Miami, it’s another opportunity to sharpen their identity before conference play begins. If Henderson keeps rising the way he has, the Hurricanes may have found their X-factor - not just for this game, but for the season ahead.