There’s that story about a 6-5 high school recruit at Annapolis who grew into future 7 foot NBA star David Robinson. That’s the biggest change a player has ever made between high school and college. Chicago Lincoln Park star J.J. Henley will probably not grow into a seven footer but his dad is pretty close at a husky 6-11.

The latest UW-Green Bay recruit is 6-7 and 215 pounds going into his senior year in high school. Lincoln Park coach Tom Livatino says J.J. could grow into a 6-8, 6-9 power forward who tips the scales at 240 to 250.   Livatino has coached the UWGB recruit for the past three years. The coach says, “J.J.s development socially academically and physically has been tremendous.”  

Henley averaged 14 points, eight rebounds and four blocks per game as a junior.

Livatino, in his third year at Lincoln Park, has developed five legitimate division one prospects on a team that is ranked as one of the best in Illinois.    Those recruits include Northwestern commit Michael Thompson. Lincoln Park will be playing one of the toughest high school schedules in the country in 06-07.  

He says Henley ’s development started turning heads in the second part of last season. “J.J. loves the weight room and we put him through exercises that really developed his muscle in the blocks.” Henley averaged 14 points, eight rebounds and four blocks per game as a junior. Livatino, a former University of Wisconsin football player, calls Henley “a versatile power player.”

The highly respected Bullseye Brothers recruiting service says, " Henley is a good athlete who we believe has unlimited potential. He runs the floor and finishes with consistency, he has good hands he's started to become a consistent scorer in the paint area and along the baseline."

Henley took an official visit to the Shorewood Campus this weekend. According to Livatino -- Phoenix head coach Tod Kowalczyk and assistant coach Brian Wardle did a great job of recruiting the Chicago star. “The GB coaches were impressive and emphasized academics and a disciplined approach to his total development. J.J. fell in love with Green Bay and the campus. He really liked the players.”

Henley also had a scholarship offer from Eastern Illinois and was being recruited by Loyola, Northern Illinois and Towson State. Missouri Valley and Ohio Valley schools were also interested.  

Henley played for the Illinois Fire on the AAU circuit this summer.