Getting To Know...PC's LaDontae Henton
Feb. 20, PC's
By SEAN BRENNAN
Special to BIGEAST.com
In our latest installment of "Getting to Know," we go one-on-one with Providence's sweet-stroking lefty LaDontae Henton. The 6-6 senior tells us how he got his nickname, why it was OK for Doug McDermott to borrow it, sort of, why the Big Ten's loss was certainly Ed Cooley's gain, what old-school music is at the top of his list and why a certain former teammate can be expecting a phone call any day now.
BIGEAST.com: So where did your nickname "Buckets" come from?
HENTON: "When I was in 7th grade I was playing AAU ball for the Michigan Mustangs in a 16-and-under group. I was younger than all the guys. But I used to score a lot with the older guys and they would call me "Buckets." All my teammates and everyone around basketball still know me as Buckets. It stuck with me."
BIGEAST.com: Last season Creighton's Doug McDermott was referred to at times as "McBuckets." Did he steal your nickname?
HENTON: (Laughs) "No, it was deserving. Doug was a great player, still is. So he can be Buckets also."
BIGEAST.com: You had a phenomenal career at Lansing Eastern High School and were one of only four players all-time in Mid-Michigan history to score over 2,000 points. One of the others was a guy named Magic Johnson. So why didn't Michigan and Michigan State recruit you?
HENTON: "I don't know. I put a lot of work in and I have relationships with some of the guys (at those schools) and they talked to me but never offered a scholarship. But I think it worked out for the best. I think it was good for me to get away from home."
BIGEAST.com: "Did it serve as motivation that those schools that passed on you?
HENTON: "That was the reason I had a chip on my shoulder and what makes me go harder every day."
BIGEAST.com: So instead of the Big Ten you decide to play in the BIG EAST and become Coach Ed Cooley's first recruit at Providence. Why did you choose to become a Friar?
HENTON: "It really came down to the coaching staff and Coach Cooley himself. I really believed him when he was talking to me and all the things he told me back then have come true. So it really was a great decision I made to come here."
BIGEAST.com: So what were some of the things coach talked to you about?
HENTON: "The opportunity to start something new and start something as a family and be able to win and win at a high level. Since I got here we've been winning and getting better every year and turning things around."
BIGEAST.com: So what is your relationship like with Coach Cooley?
HENTON: "He's a father figure to me, he's a mentor to me and I know he'd give me the shirt off his back. I can go to him whenever I need anything, just to talk or if it's something that I need he'll be right there for me every step of the way."
BIGEAST.com: You are on track to finish in the top five all-time in many different categories at Providence, including scoring and rebounding. What do you think of your accomplishments?
HENTON: "That's part of what you dream about as a kid, to leave your mark at a college program. Anywhere you play you want to leave your mark, leave a legacy that's a good one. Winning really comes first. I'm really focused on winning, doing whatever it takes to win. But you do that and the individual accolades will come."
BIGEAST.com: (After his 22-point, 11 rebound outing vs. DePaul Wednesday night, Henton is just 26 points from passing Jamel Thomas for fifth place on Providence's all-time scoring list and just 30 points from passing former teammate and close friend Bryce Cotton for fourth place).So, are you going to have Bryce on speed dial when you pass him on the scoring list?
HENTON: (Laughs) "I definitely will. I talk to him all the time. That's my brother. We have a great relationship. But I'll call him and I know he'll congratulate me...and I'll talk a little (smack) to him afterward."
BIGEAST.com: Is he telling you to slow down on your scoring so you don't catch him?
HENTON: (Laughs) "No, he's not telling me to slow down. He's telling me to keep going. I know I'm close and once I do it I'll let him know."
BIGEAST.com: You were left off the BIG EAST's preseason First Team. That was a bit of a surprise. Were you surprised?
HENTON: "Yeah I was and my coaches never let me live it down. Coach (Cooley) was angrier than I was. But coach tries to motivate me in practice by telling me I was on the Second Team."
BIGEAST.com: You are having a sensational season, leading the BIG EAST in scoring as the only player in the conference averaging better than 20 points a game and you have the Friars near the top of the standings. But do you feel you get overlooked a little bit?
HENTON: "I always felt like that since I was in high school. Nothing has changed. Of course I feel overlooked but really the main thing is to keep winning and everything else will fall into place."
BIGEAST.com: Where do you think you fit into the BIG EAST Player of Year conversation?
HENTON: "I just try to play to win and help my team get wins. And I feel if we keep winning that could be a goal of mine. If we keep winning I believe I'll be able to achieve that."
BIGEST.com: Ok Buckets, talk to me about your love of the Temptations?
HENTON: (Laughs) "My parents are older and that's what they were listening to around the house when I was growing up so I just became a big fan. I watched their documentary movie, too, so yeah I'm a big fan."
BIGEAST.com: Are they in your IPOD?
HENTON: "Oh yeah. I play them on our away trips."
BIGEAST.com: Last year's team you could say was Bryce's team. Is this year's team LaDontae Henton's team?
HENTON: "I believe you could say that. We have other leaders on the team also but I think I've earned it and deserve to be the leader. I've put a lot of work in and the guys follow me as a leader. So yeah, I think you could say that."
BIGEAST.com: How does it feel to be a big part of the team that finally turned Providence around and put it back on the college hoops map?
HENTON: "Last year was a great year for us. One of our goals was to win the BIG EAST championship and for us to accomplish that was a great feeling. Hopefully we can repeat it."
BIGEAST.com: You were BIG EAST champs and you got Providence to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 10 years. Are you looking to end your career with an even bigger bang this year?
HENTON: "I still have a sour taste in my mouth from losing to North Carolina in the first round (of the NCAA Tournament). So hopefully we can get back to the tournament and do a lot better than that this time."