Ole Miss basketball is in a crossroads.
They’re coming off their most successful season since 2001, and head coach Andy Kennedy went from the hot seat to a nice contract extension at season’s end.
How did that happen? Marshall Henderson.
The boisterous guard from Hurst, Texas, was used to making headlines for his actions, but the headlines that swarmed national news last week weren’t what Henderson wanted.
Henderson was suspended indefinitely from Ole Miss last week for what they cited as “a violation of team rules.” However, CBS first reported that Henderson’s suspension came after a failed drug test. The Wall Street Journal reported that Henderson was caught with marijuana and cocaine during a routine traffic stop in May.
Whatever the case may be, Henderson needs help. He’s had drug problems in the past that has made him see jail time and shift from school to school.
The suspension seems to say that Henderson will be back for basketball season, but when that may be is still up in the air. That decision will probably be based on Henderson’s behavior between now and the start of the season, as you can rest assured head coach Andy Kennedy will keep a close eye on Henderson’s every move.
“Since the season ended, we have talked a lot about Marshall taking a greater leadership role with our team,” Kennedy said in a university statement. “With that comes greater responsibility, and he must do a better job of living up to the high standard we expect from him and he desires from himself.”
So for now, it’s all about regaining trust, if that’s even possible.
The USA Today reported Henderson had a conversation with former NBA player Chris Herren, who also had drug problems during his playing days, after being contacted by an Ole Miss assistant. Herren is now a motivational speaker for collegiate and professional athletes going through those problems.
After the conversation, Henderson went to Twitter and said, “Talkin with chris herren can make ya feel alot better!! #notgoinanywhere.”
So it appears Henderson is initially taking steps in the right direction, but there’s a long time between now and November.
If I were Kennedy, I’d let Henderson play when the season approaches, assuming he has good behavior until then, but I would give him an ultimatum.
Either get all in or get all out.
Kennedy took a big risk in bringing Henderson, who has a troubled past, to Oxford in the first place. It worked out for him and got him a contract extension. However, now he has to make sure Henderson doesn’t take down everything he’s built up.
Yes, without Henderson, Ole Miss probably doesn’t make the NCAA Tournament. Ole Miss needed Henderson, but now, Henderson needs Ole Miss.
Henderson spoke several times during the Rebels’ time in the NCAA Tournament about wanting to play basketball for a living. Well, in order to do that, he needs to play, which means he needs to clean up fast.
There’s still time for Henderson to turn things around, but it won’t be easy. No one will be there for him when the Rebels travel to opposing arenas around the Southeastern Conference. He’ll continue to take the heavy dose of criticism, but Henderson can clean up and become a major success story by next March.
It’s up to him. He’s either all in or all out.
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