Welcome back Royals’ sports fans to another installment of Royal Talk. In this edition we sit down and speak with senior forward Derell Henderson of the nationally ranked #17 men’s basketball team. The Winter Haven, Fla. native is in his second year with Warner University and coming off a successful year at Warner, where he earned Third Team All-American and First Team All-Conference honors while also being named the Sun Conference Newcomer of the Year. In the first three games of the season, Henderson leads the team and conference with 24.7 ppg and has helped the team to an early 3-0 record.
1) What were some of your concerns adjusting to a new team, being a college transfer?
One concern of mine was whether or not I would gel with the team and how long it would take.
2) How have you adapted to Coach Hanrahan and his coaching style?
It was pretty easy because Coach Han can coach anyone. He has a positive outlook for each of his guys.
3) How does it feel to be playing so close to home?
I love it. When I left high school, one of the biggest decision factors for choosing a place to play was how far from home the school was. I feel so comfortable knowing that there is someone there all the time.
4) Last year you garnered Third team All-American honors, 1st Team All Conference honors and Newcomer of the Year for The Sun Conference. Describe what that meant to have all that in your first year here at Warner?
I feel very blessed to be able to compete for such honors. Coming into the season, I just wanted to make a big difference, but most of all, I just wanted to win.
5) Coming into your senior season, what were some of the goals you set for yourself and for the team?
For the team, my goal is to win it all — winning conference just isn’t good enough for me. Another goal for the team is to lay out a stepping stone for the years to come. For myself, I want to at least be in the talks for National Player of the Year, Player of the Conference, and averaging a double-double throughout the season.
6) How would you describe your athletic experience here at Warner?
It’s perfect for this time in my career. I’m having a blast here.
7) Which basketball player does your style of play reflect? Is there any one player that you try and emulate?
I really don’t know what my style is on the court because I feel I do a lot of different things. When it comes to emulating, I try to emulate Lebron’s strength, Kevin Garnett’s rebounding, Carmelo’s mid-range game, and Kobe’s heart.
8) If you could do it over again, what would you do differently as a freshman entering college and playing a sport?
I would play basketball, as well as football, and watch film more.
9) What’s your most memorable moment so far?
When we played Mid-America Nazerene University (Kan.), who had recently won a National Championship, and were led by, a 1st team All-American — and we beat them. It was a very emotional game, but we got the win.