Richard Hendrix: Pro Basketball Around The World
HARVEST- As one of the most decorated basketball players in Alabama high school history Richard Hendrix still holds the state record for career rebounds and blocked shots while playing at Athens High. Those accolades are just two of many for Hendrix who just completed his 10th season of professional basketball on a Turkish club team Galatasaray as part of the Turkish Basketball Super League.
Hendrix is visiting his home surroundings this summer and hosted a recent youth basketball camp at the Harvest Youth Club for the sixth consecutive year.
“I’ve been in basketball camps since age three and I love the opportunity to teach young players and enjoy the fact the youngsters are learning a sport and how to work in a team setting,” said Hendrix during his visit to the Madison area.
Hendrix said he has grown little since high school and still possess the 6-foot-8 frame that is filled with 260 pounds of a pure physical specimen. While in high school and playing for his father, Venard, Hendrix was a two-time Parade All-American, and in 2005 was selected Alabama Mr. Basketball. He was considered a five-star recruit and chose to play at Alabama where he was an All-SEC performer before leaving school prior to his senior season and entering the 2008 NBA Draft. He was chosen in the second round by the Golden State Warriors where he played a couple seasons in the league’s NBDL summer program.
In 2009 he chose to play overseas and has remained a fixture in that part of the world for a decade playing for an assortment of teams throughout Europe.
“In Turkey this past season was enjoyable since it was my first visit to a country that is basically a different culture,” said Hendrix. “Living there was a joy for my family. After all, Istanbul is a city of 16 million people and my stay there was like a regular life. It’s my job and having my family there was great.”
He played for two different leagues in his latest season where he finished with 10.5 points and 60-percent shooting along with 7.2 rebounds per game. Neither one of the two teams he played on posted winning records. As a competitive athlete Hendrix was disappointed with the latest campaign’s success, but his overall career has not disappointed him.
“No, not at all as I’ve had the mindset to make the best of what I can,” added Hendrix. “I’ve continued to play in pro basketball for 10 years and I hope to play another three to five years.”
Hendrix graduated from Alabama with a degree in public relations and political science. When his playing days are over and he hangs up his uniform and shoes for the last time, he said he wants to be around the sport in some capacity, especially the front office positions. He added, “I’d love to manage the team personnel. I’ve been around the game my whole life and I’ve seen it all. I believe I have the knowledge and insight to see what players have in potential.”
Both of his parents are retired educators as his father was a longtime head coach of the Athens High basketball teams. He said he doesn’t really have the desire to be a coach, though he loved what did at his recent camp for children in Harvest.
Hendrix is a well-spoken professional athlete who doesn’t rely on trash-talk nor intimidation against his opponents. Instead, he plays the game with a lot of enthusiasm, by the rules and knows at the end of the day he succeeded because he tried hard, much like his father taught him.
“He’s the ideal positive role model as he has lived and made the best of his athletic talent,” said Melvin Allen director of the Harvest Youth Club during the recent basketball camp. “Our kids here got to see a complete athlete in Richard. He’s a gifted athlete and a good family man with his wife and their two-year old son. His teaching of his worldly experience was his biggest impact.”
“Pro athletes are just like a regular guy as that’s how I see myself,” said Hendrix. “I travel the world and wreak havoc on other teams.”
