Crystal and Chris Henderson have cracked the secret recipe to getting your child a free education. The couple has produced seven Division I basketball talents, including Portland Trail Blazers rookie guard Scoot Henderson and reigning Sun Belt Freshman of the Year Crystal Henderson.
Recently, rolling out caught up with the spouses and co-CEOs at their Next Play 360 facility in Marietta, GA.
Microsoft is here today to speak to the young athletes about tech. You all already implement STEM programs here. How did that partnership come about?
Crystal: We’ve always been into STEM with the kids trying to get camps going, [and] after school programs, trying to educate the kids on other opportunities outside of sports. Then, we incorporate the sports to bring them in, hence, the facility Next Play 360, so they can learn different avenues to help them in [their] career paths.
We’ve been dealing with Microsoft all of our lives. On a [professional] level, we’ve been dealing with Microsoft for a few years now. We use their products all the time, and realize the greatness they’re putting into the community. We think they’re an incredible partner. We’re very grateful to have them.
Chris: Yes, what she said. STEM is important, not even for sports because you’re going to need that when the ball stops bouncing, or [you] stop playing in any type of sport. So we had to incorporate that with the things we do on a daily basis. It’s extremely important for us.
How do you raise two high-level Division I talents?
Crystal: We actually have seven high-level Division I talents.
Well, how do you raise seven high-level Division I talents?
Crystal: I think a lot of love, discipline, and communication. Talking to your kids and keeping it real and raw with them, and letting them know it’s a big world out here and you got to be prepared for the things that are to come and just instilling confidence in them on every level.
Chris: I think it’s teaching the kids dedication and sacrifice within my family. Once you have that, and you really want to do something, you sacrifice and put that time in and act. You put 110% in, something’s going to come out of it.
I think that’s the success we had as parents and as a family. Keep our kids and make them accountable. If they want to do something, put the best foot forward and give 110%.
When did you realize Scoot was special?
Chris: I would say at a very young age.
My friend came to the house one day and they were outside shooting. He had to be like 4, 5 or 6. Him and my other son, they were always playing each other.
Then, my friend looked at me and said, “CJ is really good, but that little one right there? Nah. Something’s different about him.” And his name was Scoot, too? That’s him.
It just pretty much stuck with me, man. That was the time I was like, “Maybe I might have something special here.”
For Women’s History Month, who is a Black woman who impacted your life?
Chris: I would say my wife, and I’m serious. Because I still haven’t figured out how she did this. Seven kids and still look like this, that’s crazy.
For me, with every great story, I believe that somebody’s behind it. I know d— well I couldn’t do it myself. This would’ve been a wrap a long time ago. First kid, it would have been a wrap, but to have seven children and there were many days I didn’t want to go forward, and she was my rock. All my daughters are watching her as well, so that’s very imperative.
