LARAMIE – Cole Henry was planning to finish his playing career where it all started.
 
The 6-foot-9 forward entered the transfer portal after four seasons at Northern Iowa and figured he would use his final year of eligibility to suit up for his father, John, who is entering his 24^th season as the head coach at William Penn University, an NAIA program in his hometown of Oskaloosa, Iowa.
 
Then Wyoming head coach Sundance Wicks called with an offer, two different offers it would turn out, that he couldn't refuse.
 
"Playing for my dad was my dream my whole life because when you're a kid you look up to your dad," Henry said. "My dad is my hero and the best coach I've ever had. Sunny is a close second, and I think he's OK with that answer. My whole life was basketball with my dad."
 
Wicks initially wanted Henry to play for him at Green Bay. But a week after Henry accepted the opportunity, Wicks agreed to take UW athletics director Tom Burman's offer to return to his home state to lead the Cowboys.
 
Shortly after returning to UW and beginning the process of rebuilding the roster, Wicks re-recruited Henry to join him in Laramie.
 
"I was looking for a coach that connected with me on a deeper level and somebody I could be friends with after one season," Henry said on why he stuck with Wicks. "I want to be a coach, and I want to learn how to be a coach. Sunny was easily the best option of the options that called me.
 
"(Assistant) Pat (Monaghan) called me first and I instantly connected with him. He told me when you talk to Sunny, he's a ball of fire and you're going to love him. He was completely right. As soon as I met and talked with him and visited Green Bay it was pretty much a foregone conclusion."
 
Henry's hobbies growing up in rural Iowa were fishing, hunting and attending his dad's games.
 
Whenever the Cowboys have time off, Henry disappears into the Snowy Range, which took his breath away when he landed at Laramie Regional Airport for the first time.
 
"I legitimately got emotional," Henry said of his recruiting visit with his parents. "I'm not a city guy. I love fishing and hunting and doing anything outdoors. This is my place, man. Laramie feels pretty small, but it also has a huge fan base. I love Laramie and I tell everyone that."
 
Henry only averaged 3.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 11.1 minutes in 32 games last season for the Panthers. Wicks was more interested in his basketball mind than his stat line.
 
The graduate transfer is playing a key role for the Pokes on the court and perhaps an even larger role getting all of his new teammates on the same page. Through his first seven games (six starts) at UW, Henry averaged 7.4 points on 66.7% shooting.
 
"I'm so happy that he is in our locker room because he's like having a coach in there," Wicks said. "He sees not only the game, but he sees the locker room from a different vantage point. That's the type of leader that you have to have in your program if you want to have a chance to win games and have a chance to compete for meaningful games in March."
 
Henry was the quarterback on his high school football team, but a growth spurt sealed his fate as a Division I basketball prospect. His ability to distribute the ball will be an important part of UW's offense this season as he rotates with 6-10 junior Scottie Ebube and 7-footer Oleg Kojenets in the post.
 
"It's doing wonders for Oleg and Scottie to have to go against Cole because he's one of the best passing players I've ever been around," Wicks said. "I'm not saying he's one of the best passing big men I've ever been around; he's one of the best passing players I've ever been around. He's got such a high I.Q., and he sees the game in a different space than those guys do. So, when they have to guard him, I think they kind of pick up some of his tricks and tips."
 
Henry wants to follow the lead of his coach by bringing the home-court advantage back to the Arena-Auditorium that was missing the past two seasons. He attended the UW football team's 31-19 victory over Air Force on Sept. 28 and was blown away by the support Jay Sawvel's Pokes received after a rough month.
 
"We already have the advantage when teams come in here of our altitude. If you also have the advantage of them not being able to hear because it's so damn loud in the Dome of Doom, then it's going to be impossible to lose at home," Henry said. "You see it at the War. Our football team last week was 0-and-4, and it was still packed in, and we got a win.
 
"That's incredible to see and it gives me chills to talk about because the fan base here at Wyoming is incredible, and I see it at the football games. These guys on our team play off emotions and energy. The crowd can be the difference maker. "
 
If you are interested in learning more about NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) or would like to support our student-athletes, please visit 1wyo.org. 1WYO was created out of Wyoming's culture of neighbor helping neighbor. The mission is to promote and strengthen local charitable organizations and develop Wyoming student athletes. 
 
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