Former South Carolina basketball star gets new professional contract

Earlier this week, three former South Carolina basketball stars (A'ja Wilson, Aliyah Boston, and Allisha Gray) were selected to participate in the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game. The trio of stars were three of ten Gamecock alums in the league (along with Kamilla Cardoso, Tiffany Mitchell, Ty Harris, Zia Cooke, Victaria Saxton, Laeticia Amihere, and Mikiah Herbert Harrigan), but that changed on Friday.

Former Carolina guard Destanni Henderson is back in the WNBA as she signed a contract with the Atlanta Dream, according to a release from the team. With the Dream, she will be reunited with former USC teammate Laeticia Amihere and fellow former Gamecock Allisha Gray. She was with the Dream in training camp, as well.

Henderson's contract is a hardship contract, meaning she is guaranteed 7 days with the team because of the club's trouble with injuries this season; if things go well for her, she can sign multiple hardship exemptions with the team before a full-time contract can be offered. Guards Rhyne Howard, Jordin Canada, and Aerial Powers are all dealing with injuries, so Henderson will be called upon to help shore up the Dream's bench while they are shorthanded.

During her South Carolina basketball career, Henderson was an All-SEC and All-American contributor, and she was the top scorer from the perimeter on the 2021-2022 National Championship team. She finished in the top-10 in Gamecock history in 3-pointers made, 3-point percentage assist-to-turnover ratio, and assists, and, at the conclusion of her career, Henderson's 2021-2022 NCAA Tournament run included the most field goal makes, field goal attempts, 3-point field goal makes, 3-point field goal attempts, and assists that any Gamecock has had in a single tournament.

After her days in garnet and black ended, Henderson became a 2nd round pick of the Indiana Fever where she eventually became teammates again with Aliyah Boston and Victaria Saxton.

During her time in the WNBA, Henderson has played with the Indiana Fever, Los Angeles Sparks, and Phoenix Mercury before signing her new deal with the Atlanta Dream.