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Men's Basketball
Henderson, Mitch
Mitch Henderson
- Title:
- Franklin C. Cappon-Edward C. Green '40 Head Coach
- Alma Mater:
- Princeton '98
COACHING HONORS
SWEET SIXTEEN RUN
Henderson led Princeton to the Sweet Sixteen in 2022-23, becoming just the fourth No. 15 seed in history to do so. The Tigers defeated a pair of nationally ranked opponents (No. 8 Arizona & No. 23 Missouri), became the 11th No. 15 seed to beat a No. 2 seed after taking down Arizona 58-55 in the Round of 64, and earned the largest ever margin of victory for a No. 15 seed thanks to a 78-63 victory over Mizzou in the Round of 32.
WINNER
The Tigers have won three-straight Ivy titles under Henderson from 2022-24, including two out of the past four outright, and four in the past eight years. Princeton has become a mainstay in the postseason throughout Henderson’s tenure, making two NCAA Tournament and three NIT appearances. The 2022-23 season saw Henderson earn his 200th career win and become just the eighth men’s basketball coach to record 100 Ivy League victories. Currently, he is the second-winningest coach in program history behind Pete Carril.
SUCCESS AGAINST HIGH MAJORS
Princeton have defeated 12 high major opponents during Henderson’s tenure which is the most of an Ivy program in that time. The victories include Rutgers (2024), Rutgers (2023), No. 8 Arizona (2023), No. 23 Missouri (2023), South Carolina (2021), Oregon State (2021), No. 17 Arizona State (2018), USC (2017), Penn State (2013), Rutgers (2013), Florida State (2011) and Rutgers (2011).
IVY LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE YEAR (4)
2023-24: Caden Pierce ‘26
2021-22: Tosan Evbuomwan ‘23
2016-17: Spencer Weisz ‘17
2012-13: Ian Hummer ‘13
ALL-IVY LEAGUE SELECTIONS (31)
2024-2025: Xaivian Lee (First Team), Caden Pierce ‘26 (Second Team)
2023-2024: Caden Pierce ‘26 (First Team), Xaivian Lee (First Team),
Matt Allocco ‘24 (Second Team)
2022-2023: Tosan Evbuomwan ‘23 (First Team), Matt Allocco ‘24 (Second Team)
2021-2022: Tosan Evbuomwan ‘23 (First Team), Jaelin Lllewellyn ‘22 (First Team),
Ethan Wright ‘22 (Second Team)
2020-2021: Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2019-2020: Richmond Aririguzoh ‘20 (First Team), Jaelin Llewellyn ‘21 (Second Team)
2018-2019: Myles Stephens ‘19 (First Team), Richmond Aririguzoh ‘20 (Second Team)
2017-2018: Devin Cannady ‘20 (Second Team), Myles Stephens ‘19 (Second Team)
2016-2017: Spencer Weisz ‘17 (First Team), Steven Cook ‘17 (First Team),
Myles Stephens ‘19 (First Team), Devin Cannady ‘20 (Honorable Mention)
2015-2016: Henry Caruso ‘17 (First Team), Spencer Weisz ‘17 (Second Team),
Steven Cook ‘17 (Honorable Mention)
2014-2015: Steven Cook ‘17 (Second Team), Spencer Weisz ‘17 (Second Team)
2013-2014: T.J. Bray ‘14 (First Team)
2012-2013: Ian Hummer ‘13 (First Team), T.J. Bray ‘14 (Second Team),
Denton Koon ‘15 (Honorable Mention)
2011-2012: Ian Hummer ‘13 (First Team), Douglas Davis 12 (Second Team)
PRINCETON TO THE PROS
18 players have played professional basketball after being coached by Henderson, including Tosan Evbuomwan ’23 who plays for the Detroit Pistons and previously spent time with the Memphis Grizzlies along with Devin Cannady ’20, who had a stint with the Orlando Magic in 2021 after being named NBA G League Finals MVP. Other pros to play under Henderson include Jaelin Llewellyn '22, Ethan Wright ‘22, Ryan Schwieger ‘21, Richmond Aririguzoh ‘20, Myles Stephens ‘19, Amir Bell ‘18, Spencer Weisz ‘17, Steven Cook ‘17, Hans Brase ’17, Henry Caruso ‘17, Clay Wilson ‘15, Denton Koon '15, T.J. Bray ‘14, Jimmy Sherburne '14, Ian Hummer ‘13 and Douglas Davis ’12.
PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
Several players have greatly improved their games at Princeton under Henderson. Some of them include:
Tosan Evbuomwan ‘23
Freshman year: 3.9 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 0.9 apg
Junior year: 16.0 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 5.1 apg (Ivy Player of the Year, First Team All-Ivy & All-District)
Senior year: 15.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 5.0 apg (Ivy Madness MOP, First Team All-Ivy & All-District)
Xaivian Lee ‘26
Freshman year: 4.8 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 0.9 apg
Sophomore year: 17.1 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 3.7 apg (First Team All-Ivy, First Team All-District)
Caden Pierce ‘26
Freshman year: 8.2 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.2 apg (Ivy Rookie of the Year)
Sophomore year: 16.6 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 3.2 apg (Ivy Player of the Year, First Team All-Ivy, First Team All-District)
Richmond Aririguzoh ‘20
Freshman year: 1.5 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 0.3 apg
Sophomore year: 2.7 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 0.7 apg
Junior year: 12.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.2 apg (Second Team All-Ivy)
Senior year: 12.0 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 2.2 apg (First Team All-Ivy, Second Team All-District)
ROAD WARRIOR
Princeton became the first DI team in the last 15 years to start 5-0 with four true road victories in 2023-24. Additionally, each of the Tigers’ first seven wins took place in different venues that season. Princeton was the only team in the nation to win its first seven games in such fashion.
IN THE RECORD BOOK
Henderson’s team hold several program records including:
2023-2024: Highest free throw percentage in a season (80.6%)
2022-2023: Most points scored in a season (2416)
2021-2022: Highest scoring average in a season (79.80)
Most field goals made in a season (910)
Most three-point field goals made in a season (327)
AS A PLAYER
A four-year starter for the Tigers, Henderson was a three-time Ivy League Champion. He helped the Tigers earn NCAA Tournament wins over UCLA in 1996 and UNLV in 1998, a season that saw Princeton ranked No. 8 in the final AP Poll and end the season with a 27-2 record. Henderson was a two-time All-Ivy honoree, being named Second team in 1998 and Honorable Mention in 1998. He ranks third all-time in school history for most assists in a season (65, 1997-98), sixth in most assists in a season (131, 1997-98), ninth in in assists (304) and ninth in steals (142). Signed by the Atlanta Hawks in 1999, Henderson played a season of professional basketball in Ireland before moving into the coaching ranks.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
In his work with Coaches vs. Cancer, Henderson has traveled to New York and Washington advocating for cancer awareness and research. Within the Princeton community, Henderson gives his time as a fellow at the university’s Forbes College, one of six residential colleges on campus. His dedication to community involvement extends to the team, which holds clinics in Jadwin for the Princeton Recreation Department.
PERSONAL
A 1994 alumnus of Culver Military Academy in Culver, Indiana, Henderson was the school’s first 12-time letterwinner, competing in football, basketball and baseball. Henderson was drafted by the New York Yankees as an outfielder with the 24th pick of the 29th round, 815th overall, in 1994. Henderson resides in Princeton with his wife Ashley, sons Theo and Archie and daughter Pippa.
MEDIA
Indiana’s Mitch Henderson Busted Brackets Beating UCLA As Princeton Player. As Coach? Same – Dana Hunsinger Benbow, Indianapolis Star
Inside Princeton Basketball As They Prepare For Creighton – Sean Gregory, Time Magazine
College Game Day – 3/19/23
CBS News – 3/20/23
CNN This Morning – 3/20/23
The Dan Patrick Show – 3/20/23
The Jim Rome Show – 3/22/23
- Led Princeton to the 2023 Sweet Sixteen
- 4x Ivy League Champion (2024, 2023, 2022, 2017)
- 2x Ivy League Tournament Champion (2023, 2017)
- 2x NABC District 13 Coach of the Year (2022, 2017)
- 2x Ivy League Coach of the Year (2024, 2017)
- Hugh Durham National Coach of the Year Award Finalist (2024)
- Jim Phelan National Coach of the Year Award Finalist (2017)
- Seven 20-win seasons
- 12 wins over high major opponents
- Coached four Ivy League Players of the Year
- Coached 20 pro players, including two NBA players (Tosan Evbuomwan ‘23 & Devin Cannady ‘20)
SWEET SIXTEEN RUN
Henderson led Princeton to the Sweet Sixteen in 2022-23, becoming just the fourth No. 15 seed in history to do so. The Tigers defeated a pair of nationally ranked opponents (No. 8 Arizona & No. 23 Missouri), became the 11th No. 15 seed to beat a No. 2 seed after taking down Arizona 58-55 in the Round of 64, and earned the largest ever margin of victory for a No. 15 seed thanks to a 78-63 victory over Mizzou in the Round of 32.
WINNER
The Tigers have won three-straight Ivy titles under Henderson from 2022-24, including two out of the past four outright, and four in the past eight years. Princeton has become a mainstay in the postseason throughout Henderson’s tenure, making two NCAA Tournament and three NIT appearances. The 2022-23 season saw Henderson earn his 200th career win and become just the eighth men’s basketball coach to record 100 Ivy League victories. Currently, he is the second-winningest coach in program history behind Pete Carril.
SUCCESS AGAINST HIGH MAJORS
Princeton have defeated 12 high major opponents during Henderson’s tenure which is the most of an Ivy program in that time. The victories include Rutgers (2024), Rutgers (2023), No. 8 Arizona (2023), No. 23 Missouri (2023), South Carolina (2021), Oregon State (2021), No. 17 Arizona State (2018), USC (2017), Penn State (2013), Rutgers (2013), Florida State (2011) and Rutgers (2011).
IVY LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE YEAR (4)
2023-24: Caden Pierce ‘26
2021-22: Tosan Evbuomwan ‘23
2016-17: Spencer Weisz ‘17
2012-13: Ian Hummer ‘13
ALL-IVY LEAGUE SELECTIONS (31)
2024-2025: Xaivian Lee (First Team), Caden Pierce ‘26 (Second Team)
2023-2024: Caden Pierce ‘26 (First Team), Xaivian Lee (First Team),
Matt Allocco ‘24 (Second Team)
2022-2023: Tosan Evbuomwan ‘23 (First Team), Matt Allocco ‘24 (Second Team)
2021-2022: Tosan Evbuomwan ‘23 (First Team), Jaelin Lllewellyn ‘22 (First Team),
Ethan Wright ‘22 (Second Team)
2020-2021: Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2019-2020: Richmond Aririguzoh ‘20 (First Team), Jaelin Llewellyn ‘21 (Second Team)
2018-2019: Myles Stephens ‘19 (First Team), Richmond Aririguzoh ‘20 (Second Team)
2017-2018: Devin Cannady ‘20 (Second Team), Myles Stephens ‘19 (Second Team)
2016-2017: Spencer Weisz ‘17 (First Team), Steven Cook ‘17 (First Team),
Myles Stephens ‘19 (First Team), Devin Cannady ‘20 (Honorable Mention)
2015-2016: Henry Caruso ‘17 (First Team), Spencer Weisz ‘17 (Second Team),
Steven Cook ‘17 (Honorable Mention)
2014-2015: Steven Cook ‘17 (Second Team), Spencer Weisz ‘17 (Second Team)
2013-2014: T.J. Bray ‘14 (First Team)
2012-2013: Ian Hummer ‘13 (First Team), T.J. Bray ‘14 (Second Team),
Denton Koon ‘15 (Honorable Mention)
2011-2012: Ian Hummer ‘13 (First Team), Douglas Davis 12 (Second Team)
PRINCETON TO THE PROS
18 players have played professional basketball after being coached by Henderson, including Tosan Evbuomwan ’23 who plays for the Detroit Pistons and previously spent time with the Memphis Grizzlies along with Devin Cannady ’20, who had a stint with the Orlando Magic in 2021 after being named NBA G League Finals MVP. Other pros to play under Henderson include Jaelin Llewellyn '22, Ethan Wright ‘22, Ryan Schwieger ‘21, Richmond Aririguzoh ‘20, Myles Stephens ‘19, Amir Bell ‘18, Spencer Weisz ‘17, Steven Cook ‘17, Hans Brase ’17, Henry Caruso ‘17, Clay Wilson ‘15, Denton Koon '15, T.J. Bray ‘14, Jimmy Sherburne '14, Ian Hummer ‘13 and Douglas Davis ’12.
PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
Several players have greatly improved their games at Princeton under Henderson. Some of them include:
Tosan Evbuomwan ‘23
Freshman year: 3.9 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 0.9 apg
Junior year: 16.0 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 5.1 apg (Ivy Player of the Year, First Team All-Ivy & All-District)
Senior year: 15.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 5.0 apg (Ivy Madness MOP, First Team All-Ivy & All-District)
Xaivian Lee ‘26
Freshman year: 4.8 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 0.9 apg
Sophomore year: 17.1 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 3.7 apg (First Team All-Ivy, First Team All-District)
Caden Pierce ‘26
Freshman year: 8.2 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.2 apg (Ivy Rookie of the Year)
Sophomore year: 16.6 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 3.2 apg (Ivy Player of the Year, First Team All-Ivy, First Team All-District)
Richmond Aririguzoh ‘20
Freshman year: 1.5 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 0.3 apg
Sophomore year: 2.7 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 0.7 apg
Junior year: 12.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.2 apg (Second Team All-Ivy)
Senior year: 12.0 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 2.2 apg (First Team All-Ivy, Second Team All-District)
ROAD WARRIOR
Princeton became the first DI team in the last 15 years to start 5-0 with four true road victories in 2023-24. Additionally, each of the Tigers’ first seven wins took place in different venues that season. Princeton was the only team in the nation to win its first seven games in such fashion.
IN THE RECORD BOOK
Henderson’s team hold several program records including:
2023-2024: Highest free throw percentage in a season (80.6%)
2022-2023: Most points scored in a season (2416)
2021-2022: Highest scoring average in a season (79.80)
Most field goals made in a season (910)
Most three-point field goals made in a season (327)
AS A PLAYER
A four-year starter for the Tigers, Henderson was a three-time Ivy League Champion. He helped the Tigers earn NCAA Tournament wins over UCLA in 1996 and UNLV in 1998, a season that saw Princeton ranked No. 8 in the final AP Poll and end the season with a 27-2 record. Henderson was a two-time All-Ivy honoree, being named Second team in 1998 and Honorable Mention in 1998. He ranks third all-time in school history for most assists in a season (65, 1997-98), sixth in most assists in a season (131, 1997-98), ninth in in assists (304) and ninth in steals (142). Signed by the Atlanta Hawks in 1999, Henderson played a season of professional basketball in Ireland before moving into the coaching ranks.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
In his work with Coaches vs. Cancer, Henderson has traveled to New York and Washington advocating for cancer awareness and research. Within the Princeton community, Henderson gives his time as a fellow at the university’s Forbes College, one of six residential colleges on campus. His dedication to community involvement extends to the team, which holds clinics in Jadwin for the Princeton Recreation Department.
PERSONAL
A 1994 alumnus of Culver Military Academy in Culver, Indiana, Henderson was the school’s first 12-time letterwinner, competing in football, basketball and baseball. Henderson was drafted by the New York Yankees as an outfielder with the 24th pick of the 29th round, 815th overall, in 1994. Henderson resides in Princeton with his wife Ashley, sons Theo and Archie and daughter Pippa.
MEDIA
Indiana’s Mitch Henderson Busted Brackets Beating UCLA As Princeton Player. As Coach? Same – Dana Hunsinger Benbow, Indianapolis Star
Inside Princeton Basketball As They Prepare For Creighton – Sean Gregory, Time Magazine
College Game Day – 3/19/23
CBS News – 3/20/23
CNN This Morning – 3/20/23
The Dan Patrick Show – 3/20/23
The Jim Rome Show – 3/22/23
| Year | School | Overall | Conference | Postseason |
| 2011-12 | Princeton | 20-12 | 10-4/3rd Ivy | CBI quarterfinals |
| 2012-13 | Princeton | 17-11 | 10-4/2nd Ivy | |
| 2013-14 | Princeton | 21-9 | 8-6/3rd Ivy | CBI quarterfinals |
| 2014-15 | Princeton | 16-14 | 9-5/3rd Ivy | |
| 2015-16 | Princeton | 22-7 | 12-2/2nd Ivy | NIT first round |
| 2016-17 | Princeton | 23-7 | 14-0/1st Ivy | NCAA first round |
| 2017-18 | Princeton | 13-16 | 5-9/5th Ivy | |
| 2018-19 | Princeton | 16-12 | 8-6/3rd Ivy | Ivy League semis |
| 2019-20 | Princeton | 14-13 | 9-5/3rd Ivy | Ivy Tournament canceled |
| 2021-22 | Princeton | 23-7 | 12-2/1st Ivy | NIT first round |
| 2022-23 | Princeton | 23-9 | 10-4/1st Ivy | NCAA Sweet Sixteen |
| 2023-24 | Princeton | 24-5 | 12-2/1st Ivy | NIT First Round |
| 2024-25 | Princeton | 19-11 | 8-6/4th Ivy | Ivy League semis |
| Total at Princeton | 251-132 | 127-55 |
EDUCATION
Princeton University, B.A. Economics, 1998
PLAYING EXPERIENCE
Princeton University, 1994-98
COACHING EXPERIENCE
Princeton University, Head Coach (2011-present)
Northwestern University, Assistant Coach (2000-11)
Reflections from the Princeton Athletics Class of 2025
Tuesday, May 27
Hard Cuts | Season 7 - Episode 16
Thursday, March 13
Hard Cuts | Season 7 - Episode 15
Tuesday, March 04
Hard Cuts | Season 7 - Episode 14
Wednesday, February 12
