Fort Myers sophomore Destanni Henderson was given an answer as to whether she made the USA women’s basketball U17 national team in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Destanni Henderson is now officially a member of the USA women’s basketball U17 world championship team.
The Fort Myers sophomore was named to the team on Thursday in Colorado Springs, Colorado after 18 finalists were narrowed down to a final roster of 12 at the United States Olympic Training Center.
A selection committee that included USA Basketball National Team Director Carol Callan and head coach Dori Oldaker were among the voices in the room that chose Henderson, a rising junior with the Green Wave who averaged 15.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists last season.
Henderson’s mother, Joyel James, was keeping tabs of her daughter through text message during the process.
“I’m just embracing it and sucking it all in,”James said. “It’s like unreal because I know how hard she worked. When she called me just now, I could hear the happiness in her voice. She cried.”
Fort Myers sophomore Destanni Henderson runs the USA women’s basketball U17 offense during a practice in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
DESTANNI HENDERSON: The News-Press’ 2016 Girls Basketball Player of the Year
Over the last two days, Henderson, a 5-foot-8 point guard who had led the Green Wave girls basketball team to a Class 6A title, competed among a talented field that included players from 10 different states for a shot to compete at the 2016 FIBA World Championships from June 22-July 2 in Zaragoza, Spain.
Henderson, 17, was the only player from Florida to make the team and survived three different cuts to reach the team. An original pool of 139 players began the week long tryout process.
Henderson vying for USA women’s basketball U17 roster selection
A year ago, Henderson, who is nicknamed “Boss” by teammates, was given a similar opportunity to compete for the U16 team that would compete at the FIBA Americas, but was sent home before reaching the final stage of competition.
James said that perceived failure pushed the guard even harder to reach her goals.
“She came back harder and stronger this year,” James said. “As a mother, I’m super proud of my baby because she worked so hard for this. Not only this, but basketball in general.”
Players from eight different states will represent the U17 team at the FIBA World Championships in July.
2016 USA women’s basketball U17 world championship team
Janelle Bailey, C, 6-3, 17, 2017, Providence Day School, Matthews, NC
Jenna Brown, G, 5-10, 15, 2018, The Lovett School, Marietta, GA
Samantha Brunelle, F, 6-2, 165, 15, 2019, William Monroe H.S., Ruckersville, VA
Charli Collier, F, 6-4, 185, 16, 2018, Barbers Hill H.S., Mont Belvieu, TX
Aquira DeCosta, F, 6-2, 168, 16, 2018, St. Mary’s H.S., Stockton, CA
Maya Dodson, F, 6-1, 145, 17, 2017, St. Francis H.S., Alpharetta, GA
Destanni Henderson, G, 5-8, 133, 17, 2018, Fort Myers H.S., Fort Myers, FL
Taylor Mikesell, G, 5-9, 16, 2018, Jackson H.S., Massillon, OH
Olivia Nelson-Ododa, C, 6-4, 15, 2018, Winder-Barrow H.S., Winder, GA
Sedona Prince, C, 6-7, 16, 2018, Liberty Hill H.S., Liberty Hill, TX
Abby Prohaska, G, 5-10, 150, 16, 2018, Lakota West H.S, Liberty Township, OH
Christyn Williams, G/F, 5-10, 16, 2018, Central Arkansas Christian School, Little Rock, AR