Recruiting Report: Richard Henderson (2017)
Class of 2017 power forward Richard Henderson of Pattonville High is one of the most dynamic front court players in the state. The 6’6″ Henderson is an athletic southpaw who takes pleasure in dunking at every opportunity. He dunks in…
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Continue ReadingClass of 2017 power forward Richard Henderson of Pattonville High is one of the most dynamic front court players in the state.
The 6’6″ Henderson is an athletic southpaw who takes pleasure in dunking at every opportunity. He dunks in the halfcourt, he dunks in the transition game and he dunks on rebound follow ups.
“I love the dunks,” Henderson said. “It means I’m getting my team hyped up and it gives them the extra boost they need. I also like to see how the crowd reacts to it.”
Henderson’s athletic exploits have earned him a lot of collegiate interest from Division I schools such as Austin Peay and a number of Division II schools.
For the next week, the biggest thing on Henderson’s mind will be taking on the best players in the country at the upcoming Nike EYBL Peach Jam in North Augusta, S.C. Henderson is running with the St. Louis Eagles 17U team that qualified for the Peach Jam after amassing an 11-5 record during the EYBL regular season.
“I’m looking forward to the Peach Jam,” Henderson said. “It’s my first time there, so I don’t know what to expect. People say it’s crazy. I think it’s going to be fun.”
Henderson has proven to be a valuable reserve forward for the Eagles, who were one of the big surprises of the league. His non-stop motor and prime-time athleticism have enabled him to compete against some of the top big men in the country. Henderson’s top moment in the EYBL came in Brooklyn when he scored eight points on four-of-four shooting of the field in the Eagles’ comeback victory over the Las Vegas Prospects. The Eagles trailed by 18 points, but Henderson helped the team’s dramatic rally with his spirited play off the bench.
“The EYBL has been amazing,” Henderson said. “It has been everything I thought it would be. It has taught me to be more aggressive. It also showed me the skills I need to improve on to play at the next level.”
Henderson has been a fixture in the middle for Pattonville for the past three years. As a junior, he averaged 16.2 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.3 blocks while shooting 62 percent from the field. Along with point guard Destan Williams, Henderson will return to lead a veteran Pattonville team that should be a Class 5 contender.
“I just want to play as well as I can and help my team go as far as they can in the postseason,” Henderson said.