Henry blossoms into a leader at Michigan State

The old adage says that there is “no I in TEAM.” Nor is there in AARON HENRY. Indeed, the Michigan State junior swingman may have all the tools to get on the NBA draft radar – great instincts, quick feet, toughness, disruptive defender, capable scorer – but he also possesses the intelligence and humility to know that winning comes before personal accolades. That was evident in an early January game against Rutgers, in which Henry did it all with 20 points, eight rebounds (seven on the defensive end), four blocked shots and two steals in leading the Spartans to a 68-45 home victory. But afterward, all he wanted to talk about was the team’s defensive intensity – and accountability. “I’m always going to put my head down and go to work,” he said. “I can only control what I can control. I’m a guy that I’m always going to go back to the gym. I’m never going to be complacent. I try to hold everyone accountable.” Those are the kind of words MSU coach Tom Izzo loves to hear. Henry’s numbers on the season (through 12 games) are certainly solid – 13.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.6 blocks, 1.6 steals – but it is the intangibles like his team-first attitude that make him a valuable presence and leader in East Lansing. Henry and the Spartans can be seen in action when they go up against the Ohio State Buckeyes in a clash of Big Ten rivals airing Sunday, Jan. 31, on CBS.