Gerald Henderson, SG

After two and a half relatively quiet years in a Duke uniform, Henderson emerged during the second half of the 2008-09 season, scoring in double digits in 21 of his final 22 games. During that span, he reached the 20-point plateau 10 times and registered one double-double performance.

Regarded as one of the most athletically gifted players in the country, the son of former NBA standout Gerald Henderson, Sr. is a fluid and explosive player on the wing with the ability to finish around the basket and meet an opponent at the rim on the defensive end of the court. He possesses a nice mid-range game and is steadily improving his shooting range.

Henderson developed into one of Duke's top offensive threats, as he has the length, quickness and leaping ability to be an all-around player, especially on defense. He spent the previous summer developing his left hand while recovering from off-season surgery on his right wrist. He started 79 of 103 games for the Blue Devils, finishing with averages of 12.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists and one steal per game.

Henderson was active in Duke's award-winning Verizon Read with the Blue Devils, a community outreach reading program in the Durham school district. He was also active in the community with the Duke Children's Hospital and Ronald McDonald House.

At The Episcopal Academy, Henderson lettered four times in basketball, as he finished his career with 2,059 points, 10 shy of breaking the league scoring record. As a senior, he led the Churchman to a 27-4 record and the state title, playing in all 31 games and scoring 667 points (21.5 ppg). He shot 52.1 percent (244-for-468) from the floor, while also leading the team in rebounds (8.6), assists (3.9) and steals (1.7).

The two-time Gatorade state Player of the Year and three-time All Inter-Ac League selection was also named Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News Co-Player of the Year in 2006. He was a second-team Parade All-American pick in 2006, in addition to receiving McDonald's All-American honors. He was rated 18th overall in the nation by The Recruiting Services Consensus Index and 11th by Rivals.com.

Henderson averaged 18.4 points and 8.6 rebounds per game as a junior, while leading Episcopal Academy to a 25-3 record and a state championship. He averaged 16.4 points and 7.0 rebounds as a sophomore, in addition to scoring 18.1 points and grabbed 8.0 rebounds as a freshman.

In addition to basketball, Henderson lettered and earned All-Conference honors in golf as a freshman. He was also a two-time league champion in the high jump and triple jump in track and field.

In summer league competition, Henderson averaged 13.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game while leading his team to a bronze medal at the 2004 Youth Development Festival. He played with current Blue Devils Greg Paulus and Brian Zoubek at the 2004 festival, as he recorded a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds vs. the North team in the semifinals and also had 19 points, seven rebounds and four assists against the West squad in the bronze medal game.

Henderson led the Red Team to a bronze medal at the 2005 Youth Development Festival. He finished tied for seventh in scoring (16.2 ppg), first in free-throw percentage (.923), 14th in field-goal percentage (.475) and tied for 16th in rebounding (5.0 rpg). He scored in double digits in all five games, including 23 points to go with six rebounds in a victory over USA White, and also had 18 points and eight rebounds in the bronze medal victory over Russia.

In 2006, he led the East team with 16 points on 6 of 10 shooting from the field at the McDonald's All-American game. He also had four rebounds and an assist in 17 minutes, in addition to being named the winner of the game's Slam Dunk contest. He helped the U.S. Junior National Select team to a 109-91 win over the World Select team at the 2006 Nike Hoops Summit, finishing with 13 points, three rebounds, two assists, three blocks and two steals vs. the World Select team.

As a true freshman, Henderson started 10 of 32 games at Duke. He logged 618 minutes of action, shooting 45.1 percent from the floor as he totaled 219 points (6.8 ppg). He also averaged 2.6 rebounds, handed out 35 assists, blocked 10 shots and had 16 steals. He earned a little bit of infamy, as he was charged with a hard foul that resulted in North Carolina's Tyler Hansbrough suffering a fractured nose and a concussion on the play.

In 2007-08, Henderson started 33 of 34 games, averaging 12.7 points on 47.4 percent shooting from the field. He grabbed 160 boards (4.7 rpg), collecting 58 assists with 31 blocked shots, but also recorded 70 personal fouls and 68 turnovers while playing with a right wrist injury that would require surgery in the summer.

Henderson's emergence in 2008-09 saw him receive All-American second-team and All-Atlantic Coast Conference first-team recognition in 2008-09. He averaged a career-high 16.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, as he was credited with 46 steals, 27 blocks and 90 assists.

Positives: Smart two-way player who is much more comfortable playing the part of a role player rather than carrying the brunt of the offensive load … Combo guard with enough ball handling ability to earn a few minutes at the point … His body has matured and is now NBA ready, as he uses his frame and strength well to create contact, showing good body control and aggressiveness driving to the basket … Has a developing mid-range game, showing great confidence in his pull-up jumper … Has the lateral quickness and basketball IQ, along with the solid fundamentals to do an all-around job on defense, whether contesting shots or disrupting the action in the passing lanes, demonstrating the ability to defend multiple positions … Mature player who does a good job of protecting the ball (not turnover prone) and knows how to play within the system and with his own limitations (lacks range with his jumper) … Solid passer who has the ability to create his own shot (was successful in converting 42 percent of his isolation plays in 2008-09) and the power to finish around the basket (converted 77 percent of his finishes off cuts as a junior) … Effective rebounder with good court vision to execute the fast break after crashing the defensive boards (19 drawn charges and 18 jump balls controlled last season) … Still not a great long-range shooter, but shows nice touch connecting from 15-20 feet away … Uses his body control and quick first step to slash to the basket, drawing contact along the way to get to the line (still only a 70.3 percent shooter from the line, but has good success drawing the defense in on pin downs) … Has the explosive burst to beat his man off the dribble and the loose hips to execute those moves from either his weak or strong side … Despite his quickness getting by his man, he is a patient shooter who likes to pick his spots rather than force the issue (excels coming off the catch-and-shoot) … Good field leader who knows how to generate the fast break or slow the game down for half-court action … Has a fluid running stride in the open court and the tenacity to break players down off the dribble … Good ball facilitator who looks first for a teammate with a better scoring option before settling for his own shot … His right wrist injury forced Henderson to work on his left hand ball skills over the 2008 summer, but still prefers to shoot from the right side (51 percent conversion from the right hand compared to 37 percent from his left) … Physical rebounder who shows explosive elevation to compete for the ball at the rim, whether with an emphatic dunk or a key rebound … Drives hard to the top of the key and gets off the ground in an instant to execute his pull-up jumper, using his body well to create the space and separation needed not to have his shot contested … Sets his feet properly and gets good elevation and fade-away with his pull-up jumper, as he shows his intelligence on the pick-and-roll when the defender goes under the screen … Savvy shooter with the pump fakes and hesitation moves to draw the defender to commit to the air too early … Uses his patience and reach-around skills well to generate a high amount of steals working in the passing lane … With his size and power, he is quite effective at defending both backcourt types and small forwards, as he does a nice job of staying in front of his man when playing at the perimeter.

Negatives: Not comfortable when asked to carry the brunt of the offensive responsibilities and needs to improve his half-court play (shoots too many long jumpers rather than attacking the rim, but does not have great range and does not get too many possessions in transition) … Marginal perimeter shooter who does not get enough elevation on his release shooting from the perimeter (opponents regularly contest those shots) … Showed better patience on the court as a junior, but played out of control often during his first two years in the Duke program) … His three-point range all but disappears when he fails to set his feet before shooting (also has an inconsistent shooting motion and a low release point when he fails to set his feet) … If he's cut off at the pass, he struggles to slash and change direction (surprising, as he shows good lateral agility on defense) … Has that explosive initial step, but might not ever be a great shot creator, as he has become too predictable using his right hand … Needs to create space for himself in order to score and is just an adequate shooter from behind the arc.

Compares To: COURTNEY LEE, Orlando -- Henderson really came into his own the second half of the 2008-09 season. He has good basketball IQ and knows to work within his own limitations now, as he used to force his shots often his first two years. He is the type that needs space to create his shot, but is a pass-first type who does a fine job of defending vs. multiple positions. His pull-up jumper greatly improved during his junior campaign, but he still lacks range needed to be effective along the perimeter.

--Report by Dave-Te' Thomas

FoxSports.com All-American second-team selection … All-Atlantic Coast Conference first-team choice, adding ACC All-Defensive Team honorable mention … First-team ACC All-Tournament pick … NABC All-District II second-team selection … Named to the 2K Sports All-Tournament Team … Started 36 of 37 games at the two-guard position, leading the team in field goals made while ranking second on the squad in scoring, successful free throws, assists and rebounds … Finished third among the Blue Devils in steals and blocked shots … Logged a career-high 1,098 minutes, scoring 610 points (16.5 ppg), as he shot 45 percent from the field (213 of 473), 33.6 percent from three-point range (41 of 122) and 76.1 percent from the foul line (143 of 188) … Totaled 183 rebounds (4.9 rpg), 91 assists (2.5 apg), 46 steals (1.2 spg) and 28 blocked shots (0.8 bpg) … Charged with 80 turnovers and 63 personal fouls … Scored in double digits 31 times and produced 11 games with at least 20 points, as he also registered one double-double performance (Florida State) … Also led the team with 42 dunks, 19 drawn charges, nine three-point plays and 18 jump balls controlled … In 10 games vs. ranked teams, he averaged a team-high 19.4 points per game to go with 4.8 rebounds, 27 assists, seven blocks and 10 steals.

The 49th McDonald's All-American to play for coach Mike Krzyzewski, Henderson started 79 of 103 games at Duke, becoming the 59th player to score more than 1,000 points (1,262, 12.3 ppg) in school history … His point total places him 39th all-time in Duke annals … Made 456 of 995 field goals (45.8 percent), including 69 of 210 (32.9 percent) from three-point range, as he also was successful on 281 of 398 free throws (70.6 percent) … Logged 2,607 minutes of action, as he grabbed 435 rebounds (4.2 rpg), had 182 assists (1.8 apg), 101 steals (1.0 spg) and 69 blocked shots (0.7 bpg) … Became the 70th player to score more than 500 points in a season for Duke, as his 610 points in 2008-09 rank 35th on the school annual record chart … Had 191 turnovers and 179 personal fouls (fouled out of three games) … Scored in double figures 63 times in his career … Became the 33rd player in school history to register ore than 100 steals.

2006-07 Season: Minutes on the court were limited while dealing with his asthmatic condition.

2008: Underwent right wrist surgery after the 2007-08 season.

SUMMER: In summer league competition, Henderson averaged 13.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game while leading his team to a bronze medal at the 2004 Youth Development Festival … Played with current Blue Devils Greg Paulus and Brian Zoubek at the 2004 festival, as he recorded a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds vs. the North team in the semifinals and also had 19 points, seven rebounds and four assists against the West squad in the bronze medal game … Led the Red Team to a bronze medal at the 2005 Youth Development Festival … Finished tied for seventh in scoring (16.2 ppg), first in free-throw percentage (.923), 14th in field-goal percentage (.475) and tied for 16th in rebounding (5.0 rpg) … Scored in double digits in all five games, including 23 points to go with six rebounds in a victory over USA White, and also had 18 points and eight rebounds in the bronze medal victory over Russia … In 2006, he led the East team with 16 points on 6 of 10 shooting from the field at the McDonald's All-American game … Also had four rebounds and an assist in 17 minutes, in addition to being named the winner of the game's Slam Dunk contest … Helped the U.S. Junior National Select team to a 109-91 win over the World Select team at the 2006 Nike Hoops Summit, finishing with 13 points, three rebounds, two assists, three blocks and two steals vs. the World Select team.

Attended The Episcopal Academy (Merion, Pa.), lettering four times in basketball for head coach Dan Dougherty … Finished his career with 2,059 points, 10 shy of breaking the league scoring record … As a senior, he led the Churchman to a 27-4 record and the state title, playing in all 31 games and scoring 667 points (21.5 ppg) … Shot 52.1 percent (244-for-468) from the floor, while also leading the team in rebounds (8.6), assists (3.9) and steals (1.7) … The two-time Gatorade state Player of the Year and three-time All Inter-Ac League selection was also named Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News Co-Player of the Year in 2006 … Second-team Parade All-American pick in 2006, in addition to receiving McDonald's All-American honors … Rated 18th overall in the nation by The Recruiting Services Consensus Index and 11th by Rivals.com … Averaged 18.4 points and 8.6 boards per game as a junior, while leading Episcopal Academy to a 25-3 record and a state championship … Averaged 16.4 points and 7.0 rebounds as a sophomore, in addition to scoring 18.1 points and grabbed 8.0 rebounds as a freshman … Lettered and earned All-Conference honors in golf as a freshman … Two-time league champion in the high jump and triple jump in track and field.

Psychology major, with a certificate in Markets and Management Studies … Son of Marie and Gerald Henderson, Sr. … Father played in the National Basketball Association for 13 years, winning two NBA Championships (1981 and 1984) with the Boston Celtics and one title with the Detroit Pistons (1990) … Born Gerald McKinley Henderson, Jr. on 12/09/87 in Caldwell, New Jersey … Resides in Merion, Pennsylvania.