Henry is good friends with fellow Frenchman and 2007 NBA Finals MVP Tony Parker. Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

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SI.com: You've done a lot of activism work against racism in soccer with your One 4 All Foundation. Would you say the situation has improved since you began your work?

Henry: I can't say if it has or hasn't, but at least people pay more attention now. You see slogans before matches on banners and on T-shirts, things like that. So do I think it is raising awareness. Did it change anything? That's difficult to do. To a degree, you need to go back in time.

SI.com: You're tight with San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker. How often do you guys talk?

Henry: Two to three times a week. Tony's amazing; what he's doing is out of this world. I grew up watching basketball, that's why I say the only thing that counts for me is stats. It's the only thing that people remember. For instance, people don't remember if Tim Duncan played well in the third game of the NBA Finals. They'll just say, how many rebounds, how many points and assists did he have? That's why I love American sports. You want to make history? Do it with numbers.

SI.com: So it's true that you're really a huge NBA junkie?

Henry: Oh, it's what I do. I just love basketball. I had a chance to meet a lot of my favorite players at Tony's wedding. I stay in contact with Deron Williams, who I think is a tremendous point guard. I also know [fellow Frenchman] Ronny Turiaf, obviously, and Steve Nash; I love those guys. For me, it was like a dream to meet them all, because if I hadn't played soccer, I would have liked to play basketball.

SI.com: I understand you're planning on attending lots of NBA games here in the States over La Liga's winter break.

Henry: I'm definitely going to see San Antonio. I went to the Finals last year, the last game against Cleveland. Then we'll see. I'd like to go to Los Angeles to see the Jazz play the Lakers on Dec. 28 so I can see Deron play against Ronny. For the first time in eight years, I have a break! [There is no winter break in England.] That's the one thing that really kills me in Europe, because I love basketball so much. We play at the same time, so it's hard to go to games.

SI.com: You recently said you wouldn't mind playing in America some day. Why?

Henry: I just love America, everything about it. The way you think, the sports -- basketball, American football -- there's always some sports to watch, something to do. Since I was young, I've always had it in the back of my mind that I wanted live there. Some players want to finish their careers in Australia, the Middle East or back at the club where they started. For me, it's America. I don't know when it's going to happen, I just know I've been wanting to do this since I was young.

SI.com: But a lot of these players say that because they want to disappear and live somewhat anonymously here. A lot of people would recognize you in the U.S.

Henry: Yes, to a degree. But I always go to America when I have down time because I can just chill. When I go to New York, L.A., Miami, it's still OK. There are always some people who recognize me, who know their soccer. But I can go to the movies any time and have a popcorn and a Pepsi and just sit down and that's it. When I'm there, I feel relaxed and comfortable.