Tennessee basketball coach Rick Barnes offered an encouraging update on sophomore point guard Troy Henderson, saying the former freshman has been ahead of schedule in his recovery from shoulder surgery.
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Speaking with reporters, Barnes said Henderson has progressed well this offseason but the Volunteers have intentionally limited his workload as he continues to rehab.
"Looking forward to Troy getting back," Barnes said, via 247 Sports. "Troy was probably ahead of schedule, but we knew we weren't going to allow him to do anything with the team physically until we got back in the fall. He's been doing more non-contact stuff with us."
Henderson underwent surgery after tearing the labrum in his left shoulder during his freshman season. The procedure came shortly after Tennessee's Elite Eight loss ended the Volunteers' season.
Barnes has consistently praised Henderson's progress, saying earlier this summer the sophomore was eager to return before the coaching staff decided to slow his recovery timeline.
"We're trying to slow him down a little bit," Barnes said in June. "He wants to — he's chomping at the bit to get back out there."
Henderson briefly announced plans to enter the transfer portal following the season before reversing course and returning to Tennessee.
"There is no place I'd rather be than right here on Rocky Top," Henderson wrote on social media after announcing his decision to stay.
The Richmond, Virginia, native appeared in 28 games as a freshman, averaging 1.8 points and 1.0 assists while providing depth in Tennessee's backcourt.
With VCU transfer Terrence Hill Jr. expected to handle the starting point guard role, Henderson is expected to compete for significant minutes once he is cleared to return.
