DeShawn Henry, who is entering his eighth year working at UNLV, is an accomplished athletics administrator, coach, and strategic operations leader in NCAA Division I athletics.
Currently serving as Associate Athletics Director for Men's Basketball Operations at UNLV, Henry provides executive leadership for all operational aspects of the nationally recognized basketball program, including budget, game schedule, travel, facilities, student-athlete support and Mountain West Conference coordination.
Throughout his career, Henry has successfully overseen multi-million-dollar budgets, negotiated high-profile game contracts, coordinated complex travel and event logistics, and developed systems that promote operational excellence and competitive success. At UNLV, he collaborates with athletics department leadership to manage an annual operating budget while supporting strategic initiatives that advance the university's mission and athletic goals.
On the national basketball scene, Henry directed operations and stakeholder engagement for grassroots tournaments and showcases, including the Super 64, the Uprising Series, and the Gauntlet Series. Henry helped deliver premier national events serving tens of thousands of athletes, coaches, and spectators annually while supporting substantial corporate marketing and event operations for a leading global athletic brand. His extensive network includes major organizations such as Adidas, Gatorade, Nike, the NCAA, and the NBA.
Henry is widely recognized for his commitment to the Las Vegas basketball community, mentorship, leadership development, and creating environments that foster both athletic and personal growth.Â
During his Durango High School tenure, Henry was named a Nike Elite ambassador and coached a nationally recognized program, advancing multiple players to collegiate levels.Â
As a 1998 UNLV alumnus, Henry brings a unique perspective to his role, combining institutional pride with a deep commitment to enhancing the student-athlete experience and strengthening connections between the university and the Las Vegas community.
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