SE: Q&A with K-State MBB Alum, Westchester Knicks' Jordan Henriquez

By Corbin McGuire

Since graduating from K-State in 2013, Jordan Henriquez has played basketball on four different continents.

He's made professional stops in the United States, Finland, Argentina, Vietnam and Germany, but the former Wildcat always wanted to return to where it all started. Henriquez got his wish and more this season, as he earned a roster spot for the Westchester Knicks, the G-League affiliate for the New York Knicks.

A native of New York who played for the Houston Rockets' affiliate — the Rio Grande Valley (Texas) Vipers — in 2013-14, Henriquez is relishing a chance to play in front of friends and family again, as well as the opportunity to work his way up to the NBA.

Henriquez has played minimal minutes (6.9 per game) so far this season, but he's appeared in every one of them and scored in all but two. He's also faced off against two former Wildcats in Jacob Pullen, with the Delaware 87ers, and Wesley Iwundu, averaging 17.6 points and nine rebounds for the Lakeland Magic.

After a recent practice, Henriquez spoke with K-State Sports Extra about his return to the G-League, formally known as the D-League.

SE: It's been a while since you played professional basketball in the United States, what has the experience been like so far?

JH: I'm enjoying it. It's changed a lot over the last couple of years from when I played in it as a rookie, but I'm just taking it all in, enjoying the atmosphere I'm in and being able to play at home.

SE: Being a New York native, playing close to home has to be an added bonus. How much have you enjoyed that aspect of your return to the G-League?

JH: It's been pretty fun, being able to have my family and friends come to the game. Outside of them coming to my college basketball games at K-State, when I was playing overseas a lot of them weren't able to, so it's just a blessing for them to be able to make it here and see me compete.

SE: You mentioned the league has changed a lot since you last played in it. What have been the biggest differences?

JH: For one, Gatorade taking over. Traveling is a little bit better. Also, especially with the Knicks, us being able to use the same facilities (Madison Square Garden) as the Liberty (WNBA), Knicks and Rangers (NHL) players, that's been pretty cool. I also know some teams around the G-League that have there own practice facilities now, so times have really changed from when I was a rookie four or five years ago.

SE: You spent a few years playing overseas. How did this opportunity with the G-League come about?

JH: I was speaking to my agent and I had several offers overseas. I just felt like this was the right time. New York was the right place. The opportunity came upon me and I wanted to take advantage of it, especially with me being able to play in my prime right now. I know I'm getting older and most of the guys in the league are younger, so I've enjoyed just being able to be a veteran guy out there and inform some of these young players who are chasing their dreams, as well myself.

SE: What were some of your deciding factors on choosing the G-League as opposed to returning overseas?

JH: I knew Gatorade was taking it over. I was told that a lot of things had been changed and there were certain things I wanted to go after. I just wanted to chase my dream. I took a break from doing it, but the NBA has always been my goal. I'm back to trying to maximize that and use any advantage that I can.

SE: At 28 years old, you are certainly on the older scale of the G-League. What has been it been like being a veteran for some of these up-and-coming players trying to reach the NBA?

JH: I enjoy it a lot. I remember when I was in that position, being a rookie for a short amount of time and Dwight Howard (with the Houston Rockets from 2013-16 and now with the Charlotte Bobcats), he was like my big brother. Now with Isaiah Hicks on the team, he just came from Charlotte, and he pretty much just went through the same thing I went through. Being able to share some stories with him and share how good of a person Dwight is, it's fun to know that these younger guys who are chasing their dreams are able to have role models. I potentially want to be that role model as well.

SE: How has the style of play in the league changed since you were last here? Or has it?

JH: It's pretty much the same. I know a lot more about the game then I did when I was younger. I know when to be in certain spots and how to be in the right place at the right time, so the game has slowed down for me from what it was four or five years ago when I was a rookie playing in the D-League.

SE: What are some other notable improvements or changes in your game since your first stop in the G-League?

JH: I'm still the guy defensively that's going to come out and play hard, try to block shots, grab rebounds and alter shots. That's never going to change, but over the years my offensive game has polished. I'm able score the ball in certain sports. I'm not as hesitant on offense that I used to be when I was younger, even in college. That's one of the main things that have changed in my game over the years.

SE: Your minutes have been pretty limited so far this season. How can you lean upon your experience at K-State, where you went from averaging 9.8 minutes a game as a freshman to as many as 20.4 as a junior, to increase your opportunities now?

JH: I'm just basically waiting my turn and with the minutes I do get, trying to get out there and be as efficient as I can be, do all the little things to help the team win. It's kind of similar to K-State. You just can't walk into every opportunity and be guaranteed to be a starter or the main guy. I'm coming here to play my role. If I'm not getting a lot of minutes, it's about being able to support my team as much as I can on and off the floor, or when I'm on the floor, just being the best I can be.

Jordan Henriquez finishes strong with the slam. He had 4 points, 3 rebounds and 1 block in 10 minutes. pic.twitter.com/hHsMGJxNxh
— Chris Priczak (@chrispriczak) November 15, 2017

SE: You've also been able to play against two K-State alums in Jacob Pullen and Wesley Iwundu, as well as see Rodney McGruder earn a starting spot for the Miami Heat last year. What kind of impact did watching other former K-State players make a run at the NBA have on you?

JH: It's motivation, for sure. That's how I look at it. When I saw Rodney do it over the last year and a half, it motivated me to come back. He talked to me all the time about it, coming back and taking that chance and chasing my dream. That's one of my best friends, so of course I listened to somebody that's gotten it done. I saw how hard he worked over his four years of his career and over his four years of his professional career as well.

SE: Speaking of K-State, now that you are back in the United States, have you been able to watch much of this year's team. What are your overall impressions?

JH: I have. I think we look good. But it's one game at a time. You can't underestimate any team and I know those young guys are taking advantage of it. Kam (Stokes) and Barry (Brown), they are the veteran guys now as well as Dean (Wade). We have some young transfers who came in as well. I like them a lot. I think we'll be able to make some noise in the Big 12 this year.

Kansas State University Athletics

SE: Q&A with K-State MBB Alum, Westchester Knicks' Jordan Henriquez

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