Jacob Pullen and Steve Henson are separated by more than 20 years in age, but they hold at least two things in common: They will both be at the Sprint Center tonight, and both are record-setting Kansas State basketball players.
Henson, now an assistant coach with UNLV, played at K-State from 1986-90, and is the Wildcats’ career leader in steals with 190. Not that long ago, he also held the Wildcats’ record for made three-pointers with 240.
But Pullen, a senior guard, passed him earlier this season against Emporia State and has now made 246 outside shots. It’s only a matter of time before he also overtakes Henson in steals. He currently has 182 to his name.
I didn’t get the chance to talk with Henson this week about his old records, but I did catch up with him during the NCAA Tournament last March.
Back then I asked Henson if he felt threatened by Pullen.
“Oh no,” Henson said. “Not at all. That’s all part of college basketball. It’s great to see K-State win and it’s great to see Jake playing so well. He’s a very good player.”
Henson does value his records, though. As an alum, he says he watches K-State play every chance he gets. Former K-State standout player/coach and current UNLV coach Lon Kruger is the same way. During the offseason, it’s not all that surprising to see him walking through Aggieville.
Henson will likely enjoy a few friendly cheers today in Kansas City. He will also enjoy his steals record as long as he can hold onto it.
“I don’t know how I got so many,” Henson said with a laugh.