Henderson Happy About Life At And After UGA
July 10, 2009 | Women's Basketball
A series of articles catching up with former Georgia Lady Bulldogs will appear on georgiadogs.com this summer on a weekly basis. This week's focuses on Tracy Henderson, a standout from 1992-97 who is expecting her third child with husband and former Georgia running back Robert Edwards in December. Links to previous stories can be found below.
June 5 – Kelly Miller returns to Minnesota
June 12 - Angie Ball now in golf universe
June 19 – Brandi (Decker) Hunter still a familiar face
July 3 – Rebecca Rowsey enjoys first year of marriage, medical school
ATHENS, Ga. --- After playing four seasons with Georgia, two seasons in the American Basketball League, and three seasons in the WNBA, former Lady Bulldog Tracy Henderson has handed over her jersey and basketball shoes, and is focusing on a new role in her life as a wife and mother.
This winter, Henderson will be receiving an extra special Christmas present as she waits for the arrival of her third child on December 30th.
Playing from 1994-97 Henderson stood as a standout player and huge attribute to the Georgia Lady Bulldogs during her four years in college.
Henderson led Georgia in blocked shots from 1994-97. She was named first-team All-SEC for three consecutive years in 1995, 1996, and 1997. Henderson was also a two-time honorable mention All-American.
As a Lady Bulldog, Henderson averaged 14.5 points and 6.7 rebounds during her four-year career and led the Lady Bulldogs to the NCAA Final Four in two consecutive years. Henderson and her teammates also captured Southeastern Conference Championships in her final two seasons in Athens.
“My first experience in the Final Four was dear and amazing because I went back home to Minnesota," she said. "We weren’t expected to go because we were so young; it made it so special that year. But then going back was amazing too because you had so much to prove and you were going back to a familiar place with the same teams in the Final Four, but they’re all playing different people. That is one big experience I will always remember of Georgia.”
Henderson ranks among UGA's top-10 career leaders in scoring, rebounding, field goal percentage and blocks. She was named one of the top-10 players in the history of the University of Georgia.
It is clear that Henderson accomplished a lot during her time at UGA. However, in Henderson’s eyes, just attending the University of Georgia was her biggest accomplishment.
“My decision to come to UGA was my biggest accomplishment because it set the standard for the rest of my basketball career," she said. "I came into Georgia not knowing much about basketball but I just had an all-natural athletic ability. Playing for Coach Landers and learning to understand the game and being able to push myself and play really hard is what I think was my biggest accomplishment. It wasn’t just playing basketball but being an athlete.”
Following college ball, Henderson played two seasons in the American Basketball League (ABL), one year for the Nashville Noise and one year for the Atlanta Glory. During this time, she served as one of the top rookies in the ABL in 1997-98, averaging 9.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and starting in 32 games.
“I initially played in the American Basketball League and was a regional pick so I was playing in Atlanta," she said. "Then when it folded I was like well, what’s next?”
Following the ABL, Henderson joined the WNBA as a Cleveland Rocker in 1999. She was in the WNBA for three years, however, she only competed in 1999. Henderson missed the entire 2000 season due to pregnancy and the entire 2001 season due to knee rehabilitation.
“The experience of being able to play here in the States and compete with some of the best players in the world was a wonderful experience," she said. "I was glad I didn’t have to leave the States because I felt I had already moved far away from home by coming to Georgia.”
Currently, Henderson is enjoying spending time with and caring for her family.
“I don’t have a whole lot going on right now," she said. "Actually, since I retired from the WNBA in 2004 I have had two kids and was married to Robert Edwards, one of the former Georgia running backs so now I’m just working on being mom and wife. I’m looking for that second career – trying to find myself after motherhood. I’m expecting my third child in December so that kind of puts me on hold. I’m just enjoying life and my family. God has blessed me with so much, so early on, so I feel just truly blessed and humbled.”
