​The 2025-26 season proved to be a forgettable one for Ole Miss under head coach Chris Beard, as the program endured a disappointing campaign that it would rather put behind it. The Rebels finished near the bottom of the SEC standings, and in an effort to revitalize the roster for the coming years, the program has conducted a global search for talent. In line with that strategy, Ole Miss has added guard Ben Henshall from Australia’s National Basketball League. The 22-year-old spent the last three seasons playing professionally for the Perth Wildcats, bringing a fresh international perspective to the Rebels’ backcourt.
During the 2024-25 season with Perth, Henshall contributed solid numbers, averaging 8.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. Wildcats head coach John Rillie spoke highly of Henshall’s trajectory, telling the NBL’s official site that the club could take pride in the player’s development and growth both on and off the court over the past three years. This emphatic endorsement highlights the potential Ole Miss sees in him as a growing contributor who can adapt quickly to a new level of college basketball.
Ole Miss’ move to sign Henshall signals a broader strategy to diversify the roster through international recruitment, aiming to add depth, experience, and playmaking ability to the guard positions. The program is optimistic about maximizing Henshall’s skill set, including his ability to create plays, knock down perimeter shots, and contribute on both ends of the floor. The Rebels are targeting a period of two-year eligibility for Henshall, with the expectation that he will be able to participate in the 2025-26 season and potentially return for a second season thereafter, subject to NCAA eligibility rules and any prospective waivers or adjustments.
From a program-building perspective, this acquisition reflects Ole Miss’ commitment to exploring nontraditional avenues to strengthen the roster. By tapping into the Australian league and bringing in a player who has already proven he can adjust to a professional environment, the Rebels hope to accelerate their transition back into SEC competitiveness. The addition of Henshall adds a dimension of versatility to the guard rotation, with the potential to contribute as a competent ball-handler, distributor, and shooter who can help stabilize the perimeter offense.
As Ole Miss continues to navigate the recruitment and roster-building process, fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how Henshall integrates with the current roster, how quickly he acclimates to the college game, and what role he ultimately carves out for himself during his time in Oxford. The program’s aim remains clear: to improve year over year and to rebuild the winning culture that characterized Ole Miss basketball prior to recent struggles. With Henshall aboard, the Rebels have taken a notable step toward achieving those goals, leveraging a globe-spanning search for talent to bolster a program seeking a quicker path back to SEC prominence.
For ongoing updates, follow College_Wire on X and College_Wires on Threads, and stay connected with coverage of college sports news, notes, and opinions. This report originally appeared on College Sports Wire as Ole Miss signs pro Australian basketball player Ben Henshall to bolster the roster and improve SEO prospects.