Michigan State Basketball: Former NBA player says Aaron Henry has lottery talent

Early on in his Michigan State basketball career, it seemed fairly obvious that Aaron Henry had the tools to become one of the better NBA draft prospects in the Big Ten.

Henry had the body, the instincts, and the potential to become a serious prospect and it was clear that he was built for the big stage. Even after he was under a microscope following Tom Izzo’s fiery exchange with him as a true freshman, he shrugged it off and helped complement the Spartans’ star core with a Final Four run. He grew from that exchange.

When Michigan State needed a big bucket or a late-season run in 2020-21 to just make the NCAA Tournament, he was the guy. He put the team on his back multiple times and willed Michigan State to the Big Dance.

Henry was, in fact, that guy in 2020-21 as a junior and he felt it was time to move on to the NBA draft and sign with an agent.

No one knocked his decision because he was likely a late-first or early-second round prospect, but with a strong draft process, he could rise in the ranks. He needed to prove that his jumper was improving and he could handle the ball, but many mocks currently have him going in round two.

An NBA champion as well as a former college basketball coach and current broadcaster believe that his second-round grades are ridiculous and he deserves better.

Mike Miller, Dick Vitale high on the Michigan State basketball star

Henry has been working with former NBA champion Mike Miller this offseason in Memphis and the ex-player has had some very high praise for him, according to USA Today’s Rookie Wire.

"“I think he is a lottery talent,” Miller said. “I have been in the gym with everybody. When you watch Aaron in the gym in 3-on-3 read and react actions, ballhandling actions and shooting actions, you probably couldn’t name me 15 players that would do the things he does just knowing how to play, defend and rebound.”"

He went on to say that in Henry’s second or third year in the NBA, he’ll be one of those guys who is tough to keep off the floor. Miller also said that he sees Henry becoming a high-30 percent 3-point shooter and called him the best defender in the draft.

Seeing this type of praise from a guy who was a 3-point shooter as well as an NBA champion has to make Henry believers feel good because he knows what it takes to succeed at this level.

And then Dick Vitale chimed in and vouched for Henry as a first-rounder.

It’s tough to argue that Henry isn’t deserving of first-round consideration, especially after proving to be one of the best defenders in the country this season and making the All-Big Ten third team. He averaged 15.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 1.3 steals as a junior and had that clutch gene for Tom Izzo and Michigan State down the stretch.

Adding a consistent 3-point jumper will make him one of those “steals” if he’s chosen late in the first or early in the second round. He could follow the same trajectory as Draymond Green or Xavier Tillman who were overlooked in the draft but have proven to be top-tier contributors.

Henry has some good endorsements here and that’s all I need to hear before I buy all the stock.