DJ Henderson is a 2013 combo-guard prospect who is 6-foot-1, 165-pounds and attends Mesa High School. In my personal opinion, DJ is the best-unsigned true, combo-guard prospect in the class. He is an elite shooter off the dribble, can catch-and-shoot well and can drive to the lane and set up his teammates easily. He also is a reliable ball-handler to break any press. Here is a little conversation that he had with Arizona Preps (AP).
Arizona Preps: Tell me about your family and why you started basketball?
DJ: I come from a military family; my Dad was in the marines for 10 years and moved to the army and my mom was a stay-at-home mom who took care of my sister and I. And I started playing basketball because I wanted to play like “Mike.”
AP: When was your 1st dunk?
DJ: Beginning of sophomore year in high school.
AP: First time you actually knew you were good?
DJ: This past year.
AP: Wow, it took that long?
DJ: Yeah, it was a lack of confidence for me until this year.
AP: What do you want to improve on before you play college ball?
DJ: My right hand and help-side defense. I need to get better at rotating.
AP: Tell me about your recruiting process? Has it been stressful, fun, liked the attention, or was it something you had to do?
DJ: Enjoying it right now - talking to coaches and stuff like that.
AP: What schools are giving you the most love right now?
DJ: Weber State and Saint Marys.
AP: Is that an official offer?
DJ: No, only NAU, but the interest level is very high from those 2 schools.
AP: Do you have a pre-game meal?
DJ: Pasta!
AP: What is your favorite food?
DJ: Chicken and rice.
AP: What is your favorite video game?
DJ: 2k. NBA2k
AP: If your not playing basketball, what are you doing?
DJ: Listening to music.
AP: If you were allowed to start HS over, and knowing what you know now, what would you change, if anything at all?
DJ: Coming to Mesa HS earlier. I went to Desert Ridge HS for 2 years then transferred to Mesa HS.
AP: So the coaching staff at Mesa HS helped you become the player that you are today?
DJ: Definitely! They push you, they push everybody, the coaching staff, Burcar is such a good coach. He pushed me a lot to become the player that I am today.
AP: What will it take to win it all?
DJ: Defense, toughness and having fun.
AP: What is your ultimate goal for this year? And what is your personal goal for life of basketball?
DJ: Winning a state championship and maintaining a 3.3 GPA academically. And then playing basketball in college, majoring in business and after college, probably playing professionally overseas.
AP: Anything else you want to add?
DJ: Just a shout out to Gregg and thank you for this interview.
