Jacquellia Henry '24 Recruiting Profile

This statement is about my struggles and accomplishments as an athlete and human being. My father was the reason I fell in love with playing basketball. While I have a lot of positive memories, I also have some that are hard to digest at times. Writing this statement made me cry several times, but you should hear a little about how I plan to overcome these challenges. I dreamt of playing in the WNBA with my father, cheering me on as a little girl. While that is not the case, my father passed away last month, and even though I have to move on and continue to live, the sight of not seeing him in the crowds has made it challenging to digest. I grew up sitting on the couch with my father, watching football, basketball, and baseball. We talked about plays, players, and much more; my father loved sports, and that dedication transformed me. My father played baseball and competed in wrestling in high school. He injured his knee, so he never received a scholarship or the opportunity to play in college. Instead, he joined the military, and it was one of the most critical accomplishments in his life. 

How am I different from other candidates? We are all unique and have strengths and weaknesses that determine our success in the future. I can’t bring my father back to this world, and I know many other candidates have similar stories, but I will continue to fight and make my dream a reality. 

I will use realistic goals to help me learn life-long lessons, exhibit good sportsmanship, constantly be part of a team, and be a role model for scholars seeking advice. My SMART goals will include:

• Becoming a more consistent 3-point shooter.
• Building my confidence quicker off my first step.
• Improving my vertical jumps and left-hand finishing technique.

I also want to shoot 50% from the 3-point line this season and do 100 left-hand lay-ups daily to improve my finishing ability. 

Starting every varsity game will make this achievable. Being motivated and dedicated to basketball and giving 110% every time will make this relevant, but shooting 300 shots daily and routinely practicing my free throws within the next two to six years will make this worth the time. 

Thank you for this opportunity to share my statement. I am a motivated and thriving athlete, asking for a chance to highlight my strengths and improve my weaknesses as I embark on this exciting journey. I am determined to live and shine even when life throws me challenges. 

-Jacquellia Henry