Serenity Henderson '24 Recruiting Profile

I have had the honor and privilege of playing basketball for approximately 10 years. I have been fortunate enough to have participated in gymnastics, T-Ball, karate, soccer, flag football and then finally basketball. It was then that I realized where my true passion lies. There was a different feeling I would get when I was on the court. The feeling of the ball in my hand, the sound of the basketball hitting the ground, stealing a ball, blocking a shot,  or the wet sound the net makes when you swish that three-point shot, especially for the first time. On the court it doesn’t matter what your social status is, the color of your skin, or if you are someone’s favorite athlete. It’s just you, your opponent, and the hoop.  It makes me feel unstoppable! It truly fills my soul in a way that even words can’t describe. It was through playing football and basketball that I realized I could do anything and that I could be successful if I just put in the work and more than anything, believe in myself. So that’s exactly what I have been continuously working on for the last 10 years.

I was raised solely by my mother who served in the Air Force for 22 years while raising me and my two siblings. She has consistently ingrained into me that God must come first. Match that with  integrity, a strong work ethic, excellence in all I do, self-confidence, discipline, and honor. This must be at the foundation of  everything I build in order to give me the greatest chance at being successful.  Being raised by a single parent has had its challenges. I will admit the harder things got, the closer the bond between the four of us became and that I’m thankful for. I learned to appreciate the little things others may take for granted. Most times we didn’t have enough money for vacations, clothes, more than one pair of basketball shoes per year, or the one-on-one training we could have used. But we made due with what we could afford. Needless to say, hardship is no stranger to me. Growing up with a father who chose not to be in my life as well as   enduring racial challenges that started as early as kindergarten, were the two most difficult issues I’ve ever had to face. Initially, it broke me down mentally. It made me feel like I was abnormal and unworthy of love and success. However, it was through years of encouragement and support from my mom, siblings, first coach and basketball that I found myself. I discovered my true inner strength and decided I would never again allow anyone to make me feel like I am inferior or worthless. In fact, I used those experiences to transform me into who I am today. It drove me to channel that pain into hard work. So I continue to grind in order to become the player I know I’m meant to be.

I have been blessed to work with many AAU and high school coaches. Each helping me to build and add layers to my skill set. They have played a direct role in contributing to the player I have evolved into today. I acknowledge I have a great deal to learn and  hope to continue to play at the collegiate level and someday the WNBA. I have the unique ability to quickly and easily blend in  with any team I have ever played for, some at a moment's notice. I have an insatiable desire to improve, unmatched discipline and love to have fun while working hard. I am stronger due to the events of my life which have led me to where I am now. Knowing and understanding my worth has empowered me. I didn’t understand it when I was going through it, but now that I have, I understand why and what I was meant to become. I am ready to take it to the next level and embrace every challenge as a new opportunity to grow and get one step closer to my dream. It’s not where we start, but how we finish.