Entering the season, the pressure was on for two of UCF’s young players. Adonys Henriquez and B.J. Taylor each made their mark as freshmen, both getting named to the American Athletic Conference’s All-Freshman team and leading UCF in scoring. Along with the promising signing of freshman Tacko Fall and A.J. Davis’ return after sitting out his transfer year, there was real promise for UCF.
These two key players had to show growth and take a step forward to accomplish all that.
Taylor obviously went out with a bone contusion and would be shelved for the year to preserve his eligibility, relegated to wearing a boot on the sideline for much of the season. His 12.8 points per game and 45.3 percent effective field goal percentage were put on the shelf.
The focus then had to turn to Adonys Henriquez. He was second on the team in scoring with 10.8 points per game and posted an astounding 55.8 percent effective field goal percentage. Henriquez as much as anyone was primed to have a bigger season as he grew more comfortable.
Like most of the UCF’s basketball team, his season has been very up and down.
Henriquez did not take that more featured role.
His usage rate — the number of possessions where he takes a shot or creates a turnover — dropped to 16.1 percent, classifying him as a “role player” according to KenPom. That number is also particularly low for a shooter, known to catch the ball and let it fly.
His averages fell down to 9.8 points per game and a 51.8 percent effective field goal percentage. He is taking a slower rate of 3-point shots — 66 percent of his shots were 3-pointers as a freshman compared to 62.2 percent this year — and making less of them.
Henriquez did not take the step forward many surely expected from him as he grew and blossomed into a sophomore.
Players like A.J. Davis and Justin McBride came to the forefront as scorers and Henriquez sort of stayed in the background. He has contributed and played well during wins, but he is not the starring player many envisioned.
There are just few instances where Henriquez was more than a simple spot-up shooter.
When he does play with more aggression, he certainly can be a very good player. Again FAU in December, he scored 18 points despite shooting 3-for-9 from the floor. He got to the line for six free throws that game. He was aggressively attacking off the dribble and looking to knife through the defense.
“I would say this time I came out more aggressive and it’s easier for me to get to the basket now,” Henriquez said after that game. “And just studying film and seeing what I can do to help.
“It’s important [to get to the line],” Henriquez continued. “Teams are scouting better so they know what I can do. I think getting to the rim can help open up the floor.”
When Henriquez is at his best this year, he is not only making those spot-up 3-pointers, but getting out in transition and cutting through the lane. The way UCF’s offense is set up, there are plenty of slashers who can cut and get themselves open without the ball. Henriquez fits into that mold.
The general slowdown of UCF’s offense through conference play has certainly hurt Henriquez’s game along with the team. The Knights have seen their pace drop from 68.4 to 67.8 possessions in a generally slow American Athletic Conference. The Knights are a team that has to get out in transition to succeed as half-court offense can be very difficult.
Henriquez was supposed to help make that easy. Or at least easier, with his shooting. But it just has not developed. With the emergence of other players, Henriquez has never had the chance to assert himself. The usage numbers bear that out for sure.
It is hard to figure out if Henriquez can become that player again or if he needs Taylor or someone else to set him up better as occurred last year. The injury that knocked him out for four games earlier this month certainly did not help Henriquez or his development this year.
Getting UCF to finish the season strong and find some hope for next year will be in watching how the younger players play. Coach Donnie Jones is putting in younger players like Chad Brown in the game more. Henriquez certainly should be among the young players to see an increased role if he can keep his intensity up.
