Ja'Shon Henry

[Go_Braves]

Well to begin - I am surprised that there is yet a Bradley Fan article regarding Ja'Shon Henry's season being over.

When I read this news in Bradley Hoops - I was beyond upset with the entire situation.

I quickly became a Ja'Shon fan his sophomore year and have been one ever since.

Ja'Shon did not have to return to Bradley but he did for his love of Bradley and love of the game.

I love Coach Wardel's statement: " That's where my heart is right now, with Ja'Shon Henry. I love him, want him to be healthy. That's all I care about. He has a bright future as a man, husband, father, just a great guy. "

I will truly miss watching Ja'Shon play.

'I'm heartbroken': Bradley Braves won a game but lost a beloved player (pjstar.com)

[Da Coach]

First, I hinted at this possibility earlier this evening in the game thread-

I'm at the Braves Club banquet for the 2005-06 team. Every team member is here except Zach Andrews, who is working as a stunt double on a basketball movie out in Hollywood.
I tried finding out more about Ja'Shon, but nobody can say right now. He will be evaluated further before a decision is made....

But what are you basing your "Season Over" statement on? Are you seeing that a final determination has been made regarding "Ja'Shon Henry's season being over"?

In the updated Dave Eminian game article, Coach Wardle says, "Ja'Shon Henry has a very mild concussion and will not be going to Cancun with us."
https://www.pjstar.com/story/sports/...y/69657267007/

And in a tweet, Eminian quotes Coach Wardle saying-
BU coach Wardle: “It’s believed to be a light concussion, (medical team) does not feel comfortable with him traveling to Cancun. He’ll go into the protocols now. I’m just heartbroken for Ja’Shon, such a good man.” Believed to be Henry’s fourth concussion at Bradley.
https://twitter.com/icetimecleve/sta...14102682849280

And finally, Coach Wardle mentioned this all at the Braves Club banquet for the 2005-06 team tonight, and did not say there has been any final determination that Ja'Shon's season will end.
So, though there's a chance Ja'Shon's season could be over, unless there is some official statement that goes beyond these above statements, no final decision has been made. Ja'Shon will be followed by medical experts with a concussion protocol, which means more evaluation, as I reported earlier. I am confident the medical experts know what they are doing.

[Da Coach]

Title of thread changed. There has not been a final determination yet regarding Ja'Shon's future, following last night's injury.

[PhiAlphaBoy]

Title of thread changed. There has not been a final determination yet regarding Ja'Shon's future, following last night's injury.

I f he got a concussion from that particular foul then he will certainly get another before the season is done. I'm not sure he actually received a blow to the head on that play, rather just a significant upper body jolt, which would be enough to cause a concussion for someone who's coming off of multiple concussions. If I was one of Henry's trusted advisors I would be advising that he not play basketball again.

[️ Fanatic]

Title of thread changed. There has not been a final determination yet regarding Ja'Shon's future, following last night's injury.

My opinion is the team needs to move forward, assume Ja'Shon is not returning. It is a shame, as he was playing really well and a spark + presence with his inside game.. Someone needs to step up in a big way as those are big shoes to fill... Biliew is a possibility, to hopefully come off the bench as a spark and provide strength & rebounding/garbage scoring in the paint. (Does anyone know why Billew did not play last game?) Once Reink comes back, Hannah will move to coming off bench, yet a 3rd option in a low post position will be key. I believe the back-ups to Ja'Shon need to assume his position & not wait & hope he recovers... that is the best way to fill his absence is to take the spot. Ja'Shon plays hard & has an aggressive style of basketball (that will most likely lead to further reasons of concern)... We need someone to "fight for rebounds & strong put-backs in the paint in key moments of the game"

[BUfan14]

It’s really too bad for him, but with his playing style and past with concussions, this was always going to be a risk this year. I have to imagine at some point, with his history and what we know about head injuries now, that the risk is not worth it anymore for a few months of college basketball. Easy to say when you haven’t spent your whole life training for this only to have it taken away prematurely, but still he’s got the rest of his life ahead of him.

[Tommy]

I'm surprised they don't make something to protect a player's head that can be used in basketball similar to the face shields guys wear when they've gotten a broken nose.

[Dub]

I respect JHen tremendously, and I support whatever decision he and the medical personnel decide, either way. We don’t need to make the decision for them. JaShon is a Bradley basketball champion.

[Da Coach]

I'm surprised they don't make something to protect a player's head that can be used in basketball similar to the face shields guys wear when they've gotten a broken nose.

There are head protecting helmets that are worn by soccer players, volleyball players, and in other sports. They have been used in some women's basketball games, especially at the high school level. But, I have not seen them used in men's basketball, except in practices. There isn't a lot of study data to know if or how well they help to prevent concussions, though. But, I agree Tommy, that maybe more players should be wearing them. Basketball isn't a non-contact sport any more.

[Tommy]

Basketball isn't a non-contact sport any more.

Absolutely!

Will be devastating to lose JaShon at all. Not just because of his talent, but his leadership and being an all around great guy. We all definitely just want what's best for him, but it sure would be nice if he could finish this season on some sort of a high note, like say an MVC championship!

[Nashville Cat]

How many brain injuries are too many?

[Nashville Cat]

I think Jashon will be a fine coach one day if he chooses. Let the mentoring begin. Might help future recruiting, too.

[bradleyfan124]

I think Jashon will be a fine coach one day if he chooses. Let the mentoring begin. Might help future recruiting, too.

I totally agree with this. I have heard he likes Peoria so maybe Bradley will reach out to him and make him part of the basketball staff next year

[Da Coach]

How many brain injuries are too many?

Yeah, nobody really knows. As some here might know, I'm retired from a medical profession, and saw and treated many people with concussions and head injuries. It varies widely depending on the symptoms (severity of symptoms, how long it takes to recover, whether symptoms keep getting worse, whether it take less of a head injury for each one, etc.) and depends on the individual (some people are more susceptible, we don't know why). Concussions have been around forever, but not really until the last few years have we begun to take them seriously.
Lots of people have concussions, and recover 100% and live completely normal lives.
On the other hand, some people have one single concussions, and suffer effects for years.
Many experts use the "Rule of 3" with concussions, and advise quitting contact sports after the 3rd one. Other experts say 4 or 5 is the limit. Again, it is widely variable depending on factors like how severe the symptoms are, or how long it takes to recover fully.

Here is a pretty good summary about concussions that was in the Washington Post last month following the head injuries to Miami Dolphins' quarterback Tua Tagovailoa-
https://www.washingtonpost.com/welln...ssions-sports/
See the sections halfway down subtitled "How many concussions are too many?" and "Is there a point at which someone should stop playing contact sports?"

Edit: one more thing... the Bradley coaches and medical team are top notch in knowledge and dealing with concussions. They have well trained medical people as well as highly trained experts as consultants. I am confident they will evaluate Ja'Shon properly, and make the best decision for him.

[PhiAlphaBoy]

Many experts use the "Rule of 3" with concussions, and advise quitting contact sports after the 3rd one. Other experts say 4 or 5 is the limit. Again, it is widely variable depending on factors like how severe the symptoms are, or how long it takes to recover fully.


Edit: one more thing... the Bradley coaches and medical team are top notch in knowledge and dealing with concussions. They have well trained medical people as well as highly trained experts as consultants. I am confident they will evaluate Ja'Shon properly, and make the best decision for him.

I have a feeling that this decision may ultimately be made by university attorneys and the president based on liability and insurance concerns.