There’s something newly hired Alaska import LaDontae Henton has in common with stars like Tim Duncan, David Robinson, Larry Bird, Jerry West, Oscar Robertson, Rick Barry and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. They’re all in the elite roster of players who finished their US college basketball careers with at least 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds.

That cast lists only 120 players out of thousands who’ve played varsity hoops since Jesse Arnelle of Penn State, Dickie Hemric of Wake Forest and Tom Gola of La Salle first made the grade in 1955. The lineup includes seven players who were PBA imports – Arizona Reid, Nick Fazekas, Byron Houston, Rudy Macklin, Harry Kelly, Joe Binion and Darren Queenan.

In the coming PBA Governors Cup set to start July 15, two players on the list will see action in a rare coincidence. Henton will suit up for Alaska while Reid is returning for defending champion San Miguel Beer. Their credentials make them early favorites for Best Import honors but with NBA veteran Jason Maxiel of Tropang TNT, fresh graduate 22-year-old James White of Mahindra and seven other returning imports in the mix, the race should be wide open.

Henton, 24, played four years for Providence College, a private Catholic school in Rhode Island. The same school produced Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan, NBA legend Lenny Wilkens and Mahindra guard Mike DiGregorio’s uncle Ernie. Three former PBA imports who came from Providence were Dickey Simpkins, Marques Bragg and Herbert Hill.

Known as “Buckets,” Henton got his nickname when all he did was score as a seventh grader with the U16 Michigan Mustangs AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) team. In high school, Henton averaged 22.2 points over four years and was one of only four players from mid-Michigan ever to score over 2,000 points as a prepster. Magic Johnson was one of the four.

At Providence, Henton was never shy to take the big shot. He was the Friars’ go-to guy from his freshman to senior season. Henton wound up averaging 15.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 36.4 minutes in 135 games over four years, shooting 43.7 percent from the field, 33.7 percent from beyond the arc and 75.7 percent from the line. As a junior, Henton led Providence to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 10 years but the Friars lost to No. 6 North Carolina, 79-77, in an opening round heartbreaker. As a senior, Henton brought Providence back to the NCAA Tournament but the Friars again lost in the first round, this time to No. 11 Dayton, 66-53.

In the 2014-15 season, Henton made headlines when he fired 38 points, including 14-of-19 field goals, as Providence beat Notre Dame, 75-74, in the final of the Hall of Fame Tip-Off in Connecticut. With 1:45 left, Henton knocked down a jumper to trim Notre Dame’s lead to 71-70. Then, he buried a triple to push Providence up, 73-71. Notre Dame connected on a three-point play to regain the driver’s seat, 74-73, but Henton put the game on ice with two free throws. Henton capped his brilliant performance with a block on Pat Connaughton’s jumper that would’ve won it for Notre Dame if it dropped in.

“His leadership and clutch factor have grown over his four years in Providence,” wrote USA Today’s Brad Penner of Henton. “He was the fourth player in Big East history to score over 2,000 points, joining Pat Ewing, Alonzo Mourning and Ryan Gomes. One of the great parts of his game is his overall aggressive offensive play. Henton can beat you in the post, transition or from deep. A key attribute that comes up with Henton time and time again is that he is not afraid of anything. He will take contact in the line but also the clutch shot to win it in crunch time. He’s not afraid of driving into the teeth of a defense and getting banged up whether he is going up for a shot or an offensive rebound. He played in at least 30 minutes per game in all but three games during his senior year. In those three games, the Friars won handily and rested Henton for the more difficult games ahead.”

The areas where Henton must improve to become a complete-package player are defense, shot selection and ball distribution. He’s at a slight disadvantage when defending quicker players. On offense, he jacks it up sometimes too soon and is impatient in getting off a shot. He’s not a passer because he’s confident in his shooting ability.

Writer Rob Dauster said Providence coach Ed Cooley relied on Henton almost exclusively when the Friars had to take a big shot to win it or lose it. In Henton’s four years, Providence posted records of 15-17 in 2011-12, 19-15 in 2012-13, 23-12 in 2013-14 and 22-12 in 2014-15.

Henton wasn’t picked in the NBA draft last year but got to play for the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Summer League, averaging 8.3 points in six games. He went on to suit up as an import for Baloncesto Sevilla in the Spanish league. Henton didn’t make an impact in Seville, scoring 5.5 points in 13.0 minutes a game. His best showing was when he hit 22 points, including 3-of-6 triples and 7-of-7 free throws, in Seville’s 106-101 win over Joventut.

Henton was the only player from the college batch of 2015 to join the elite corps of 2,000-point and 1,000-rebound producers. This past season, two made it – Shawn Long of Louisiana at Lafayette and Jameel Warney of Stony Brook.

Henton is due to arrive Monday when Alaska returns to practice. Aces head coach Alex Compton and Calvin Abueva will be tied up with Gilas so they’re not expected to play major roles in training camp. Assistant coaches Louie Alas, Jeff Cariaso, Topex Robinson, Monch Gavieres and Franco Atienza will supervise the training in Compton’s absence.