Travis Henson (199-SF-1999, college: CSUB) is a 24 year old 199cm forward from Maryland playing his rookie season in Germany with pro B team Iserlohn averaging 19,0ppg, 4,1rpg and 1,6apg. He began his basketball career at Potomac High School. He then played 2 seasons and 58 JUCO games for Angelina College averaging 6.3ppg, 1.9rpg, FGP: 52.0%, 3PT: 34.6%, FT: 73.3% and 15.8ppg, 4.9rpg, 1.1apg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 48.5%, 3PT: 40.8%, FT: 82.4%. He then played at California State University Bakersfield (NCAA) from 2020-2023 playing a total 80 games and as a senior averaged : 8.3ppg, 3.2rpg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 56.2%, 3PT: 36.2%, FT: 82.9%. He spoke to germanhoops.comabout basketball.

Thanks Travis for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you at the moment?

I am currently enjoying life in Iserlohn and my basketball life has been great due to the fact that I am living a life long dream of being a professional basketball player.

Congrats on signing your first pro contract with German Pro B team Iserlohn. It has always been your dream to be a professional. How long have you been working for this opportunity?

I started playing basketball at the age of 4 so I have been training for this moment mostly my entire life.

How was the transfer market in 2023? Did you have other offers or was Iserlohn the only one?

I had a couple of other offers but I was still in school finishing my bachelor’s degree so I couldn’t go but after that it was a while before I got another offer but when I did it was Iserlohn.

What was your first impression of head coach Dennis Shirvan? What did you like most about his basketball philosophy?

Coach Dennis is a very down to earth guy and great coach, the thing I like most about his basketball philosophy is how he is able to implement the strengths and talents of his players into what he wants to do both offensively and defensively.

How big is your hunger to keep producing from where you left off in the NCAA? You broke out in your senior year, but it seems like you are ready to also break out right away in your rookie season?

I am very determined to pick up right where I left off and show people that despite what my overall stats might say, that’s the player that I really am and capable of being on a nightly basis.

Let´s talk about your game? You’re a 198cm forward. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the bill?

I think the player I would compare myself to in the NBA right now is Andrew Wiggins because he is a wing that can score at all 3 levels, very athletic, and can guard multiple positions.

You’re a guy that can fill the stat sheet and hit the three pointer. What are your biggest strengths on the court?

I think my biggest strengths on the court are my athleticism and my ability to score at all 3 levels.

How developed do you see your three pointer being now? Do you see yourself being able to become a high volume shooter overseas?

I think that my three pointer has developed a lot over the past few years. And I feel that I will be able to be a very effective and efficient shooter overseas.

What kind of defender are you now and what kind of defender do you still want to become?

I think that I am a defender that is really good in help situations getting blocks and playing passing lanes. I still want to improve my on ball defense and my lateral foot speed.

ON what area´s of your game are you working on most now so you can continue to progress your game?

I think that the only thing that I’m missing from my game is the ability to get whatever I want on the court with my handle, I think I have a good enough handle to be secure with the ball, but once my handle goes to that next level I feel that I will truly be able to do whatever I want on the court.

You began in JUCO at Angelina. Every guy I have interviewed have said that JUCO was a real challenge, but one they wouldn´t have traded the world for. How was it for you?

I am definitely proud to say that I’m a Juco product and I think it helped prepare me for the daily grind of basketball and the level at which I needed to compete everyday to separate myself from my peers, it also taught me what a real bond with your teammates can do for team success, especially when everyone works together towards a common goal for the group and not for themselves.

How important was Nick Wade in your early basketball development at Angelina College? How did he get you ready best for the NCAA?

Coach Wade was very influential in helping me become not only the basketball player I am today but the man I am today also. He taught me to not only how to work and hold myself accountable, but he also gave me all the confidence in the world to be myself on the court and have fun, and that’s a mindset that I take with me on the court everyday and I’m thankful to have been able to play for him and win with him.

In your second NCAA game with CSUB, you hit Bethesda for 21 points and 7 three´s in a 51 point wash out. How important was this game for your confidence and what memories do you have of the game?

That game gave me the confidence to feel that I belonged at the D1 level and I just remember feeling like the basket was 10 times wider than normal.

Your game really picked up in your last 12 games of your senior year as you scored in double figures in 10 games in that span. How did your game grow in your last year there?

I feel that in that span I got more of an opportunity to be able to play freely and be myself on the court and I took advantage of that opportunity and it showed in the games.

How did head coach Rod Barnes groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Barnes showed me how to work hard with a purpose, and the true meaning of being a professional and for that I will always be grateful.

Who won a 1-1 in practice, you or Justin McCall?

We’ve never actually played 1 on 1 but if we did I would win, that’s my guy though lol

Who is the toughest player that you faced in the NCAA that would reach the NBA?

I would say Jamie Jaquez was the toughest.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

I’ve had so many great teammates from high school all the way to D1 so to pick 5 would be too hard to do

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore of past or present heads?

Allen Iverson, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant

Who is your GOAT and what is your opinion of the neverending debate of who is the greatest Jordan or Lebron and why isn´t Kobe mentioned more?

My GOAT is Michael Jordan and I definitely hate that Kobe’s name isn’t brought up in the debate enough and I couldn’t tell you in a million years why it isn’t but in my opinion if I had to rank them 1-3 it would be Jordan 1, Kobe 2, and Lebron 3

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America?

Yes I saw it

Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

I actually think it was great that they made, the sequel and not only do I think it was good but I also think that it was cool for them to bring such a classic movie back for the younger generation.

Thanks Travis for the chat.