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Henderson to teach Sixers how to be pros

GALLOWAY, N. J. – Gerald Henderson Jr. see his leadership role with the 76ers similar to the one he had last season with Portland.

"We [the Blazers] weren't as young," he said, "but being one of the guys with more experience, you are put in a position to help the younger guys. Teach them what you know, how to be a pro. Different things like that."

That's something that the 28-year-old shooting guard is looking forward to doing with his hometown team.

But you also can expect the former Episcopal Academy standout to be the vocal and demanding leader on the court.  That's what he did in his lone season with the Blazers.  Despite being a newcomer, he wasn't afraid to call out any teammate -- even All-Star point guard Damian Lillard – on the court when things went wrong.

He ripped into Meyers Leonard for not setting a screen that wasted an offensive possession in a game against the Houston Rockets in February.  After the game, Henderson sought out Leonard to go over the play and make sure they were in agreement, according to the Oregonian.

Henderson also voiced his opinions in huddles and during timeouts and was a key voice in the locker room.

So the only difference might be that the 6-foot-5, 215-pounder will wear a different jersey number.

The eighth-year veteran is switching from No. 9 to No. 12 this season. His father, Gerald Henderson Sr., wore No. 12 during his two seasons with the Sixers. However, that's not the main reason Henderson will wear that number.

"I really wanted to wear 9 to be honest with you," he said. "But Dario, let him have it.  I don't make too much noise, man. A number is a number."

That's when T.J. McConnell gave up the No. 12 so that Henderson could wear his father's number with the Sixers.

Follow and contact 76ers beat writer Keith Pompey on Twitter and on Instagram at PompeyOnSixers.