Since I’ve been a Louisville basketball fan there have been players come and go. Some of them are remembered for a big game, a big shot, or big play. But there are others who come along that leave a lasting impression because of their passion for the program and their hard work and dedication just to be a part of the program. Then you have a guy like Tim Henderson who has all of those things rolled up into one. Tim Henderson has made the big play in the game and his passion, hard work and dedication are something that I will never forget.
He played high school basketball for Louisville Christian Academy and joined the Cardinals’ roster as a walk-on in 2010. He had Louisville pumping through his veins from birth as his father Jeff was a swimmer at UofL (1976-79), and his mother Beth played tennis at UofL. It was obvious when I first saw Tim play in the Red and White scrimmages that he was a kid that may have been a walk-on but didn’t carry himself that way. When he got his moments in the games he would make the best of them. I have said that if my son was old enough to go to the games with me and know what was going on that I would point to Tim as the example of what it’s all about. Tim defines the word “hustle” and whether he was in the game for 1 minute or 10 minutes that’s just what he did. He knew and accepted his role from the very beginning and made the best of it. Sure, most will remember Tim for those three point shots in that Final Four game against Wichita State, but I will also remember a guy who seized his opportunities no matter how small they were.
Today Tim was rewarded for his efforts over the last the last three years with a scholarship for the second semester. Coach Pitino said in his press conference today: “Well, I gave it to him while I was watching film with the team and saying how good his defense was and we’ve got to play defense like he plays it, and it’s a long time coming, but Tim will be given a scholarship second semester,” coach Rick Pitino said when replaying how he delivered the news. “He came up to thank me after practice and I said, ‘Don’t thank me, I’m the one who should thank you.” Very happy for Tim and think this is a very cool move by coach Pitino. This really is a feel good story and I sure needed it after the last few days around the program. Congrats Tim!