Past NBA talent to take charge of Panthers men

Image credit: Quinn Rooney | Getty Images

The South Adelaide Panthers have announced that former NBA player and Adelaide 36ers head coach Conner Henry has signed on to lead the men's program for the 2027 and 2028 NBL1 Central seasons.

Henry enters the Panthers program with years of coaching experience under his belt, having begun since the early 2000s.

The American-born has led at the highest level, having been an assistant coach for the Orlando Magic in the 2015-16 NBA season, and having led the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in the NBA's second division, formerly known as the D-League.

In the 2013-14 D-League season, he won NBA D-League Coach of the Year honours, having led the team to a 36-14 record and a D-League championship, having gone unbeaten in the playoffs.

Henry isn't unfamiliar to Australian soil, having coached the Perth Wildcats in the 2008-09 NBL season, and 11 years later, returning to take the head coaching role with the Adelaide 36ers for the 2020-21 NBL season.

The 63-year-old formerly played in the NBA, drafted by the Houston Rockets in the 1986 NBA Draft.

The shooting guard played 93 games with 4 franchises over 2 seasons, spending time in Boston, Milwaukee and Sacramento before taking his talents to Europe.

Henry averaged 3.3 points, 0.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in his NBA career.

Henry steps into the Panthers coaching role hoping to build on a strong 2026 NBL1 Central men's campaign, with the South Australian club ending the season in third position with a record of 13-5.

The Panthers will be hoping to retain the likes of 2026 Woollacott Medallist Jeremy Smith and NBL talent Lloyd McVeigh and Rio Bruton as they look ahead to Henry's first season in charge.

Catch Henry's former teams Adelaide and Perth this weekend on ESPN and Saturday hoops on the 9Network. Find further details on how to watch HERE.