CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – The Island Storm has made another move to try to strengthen its interior defence and frontcourt.
The Storm acquired six-foot-10, 210-pound forward Jarion Henry from the St. John’s Edge on Thursday for the team’s first-round pick in the 2018 National Basketball League of Canada draft.
“I think we’re getting a real intense player,” Storm head coach Tim Kendrick said, “a guy that really wants to defend and rebound, a real team guy and a great passer from the post.”
Henry averaged 7.2 points and 6.8 rebounds with the Edge. Kendrick said he is versatile and a guy who plays above his weight.
Henry is expected to make his debut tonight, but how much he will play against the London Lightning is not clear, as he will have had little time to study the team’s plays.
Henry played with Storm guard Franklin Session in the Drew League, making getting a reference a little easier. Kendrick said the chemistry they have would help with the transition.
The Storm has been trying to improve its interior defence and rebounding for a few weeks. It brought in centres Meshack Lufile and Travis Elliott. Lufile is improving after sustaining a sprained ankle on Jan. 6. Kendrick said there’s a chance he could be back by Wednesday’s game in Moncton.
“We’ve certainly bolstered our front-line a little bit in the last week or so,” he said.
The Storm released centre Zack Valliere to make room for Henry on the roster.
The Storm also temporarily deactivated point guard Andre Stringer to attend a family member's funeral in Mississippi.
The Edge flipped the first-round pick to Kitchener-Waterloo for Russell Byrd.
