By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The newest member of the Tennessee Tech men's basketball family is on his way for the 2015-16 season as head coach Steve Payne and the Golden Eagle team announced the signing of Murray State College (Okla.) guard Markell Henderson.
A native of Boswell, Okla., Henderson comes into the Tech program with three years of eligibility after sitting out his freshman season at Murray State College with an injury. He joins a recruiting class that includes freshman guard Tre Hansbrough and freshman center Micaiah Henry, both of whom hail from Georgia.
"We really made an emphasis of going after kids that could shoot," Payne said, "and Markell is a long, athletic wing that fits that mold and is ready to provide that right away. He's a rangy wing that has length and athleticism, and that's a key position to fill to be successful in our league.
"He reminds me of a Milone Clark kind-of-guy, just with his length and shooting ability. His ball handling is a strength, for sure, and he's brining us back to that big, long, above-the-rim finisher. I'm excited about the way he handles and shoots the basketball.
"It's great that we're going to get him for three years and we really think he's going to develop into a great player. Coach McGill has done a great job of bringing him up in a short time at Murray State College and he also played for a fantastic high school coach in Parker Harless. Both of those guys did such a good job in helping him prepare for this level. It'll be an adjustment for him at the Division I level, but we expect him to have a great career here. He's just a great fit for Tennessee Tech both on and off the floor.
Markell Henderson
6-5 – Guard – Boswell, Okla. – Murray State College
Henderson had no trouble proving he could shoot, despite playing just one season at Murray State College, averaging over 17 points per game while shooting nearly 48 percent from the field. He also hauled in over five rebounds per game while rejecting over two shots each contest. Henderson's incredible play throughout the year led to Oklahoma City Athletic Conference All-Region First Team honors.
His length and athleticism was on display every night, and highlighted by four double-doubles as a Scorpion. The incoming wing dropped a career-high 34 points in a January contest at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, adding 10 rebounds as well. He blocked an unbelievable seven shots at Seminole State College in a February tilt, adding 20 points offensively and six rebounds in a dominant performance.
Henderson on why he chose Tech:
I just loved everyone from the moment I got to meet them. I'm really a people person and everyone I met made me feel very welcome and excited to join this family. I had an instant vibe with both Coach Payne and Coach [Ron] Jirsa, and that really helped make my decision easy.
Henderson on what he hopes to bring to the table next season:
I plan on coming in to help with scoring and I believe that's something I'll be good at. I can shoot the ball pretty well and am a solid defender. I also want to come in and be a good teammate and bring a positive mentality to the team.
Henderson on what he's looking forward to most in his first year at Tech:
Just getting out on the court there and getting started; that's what I can't wait for. It's been a dream of mine forever to play Division I basketball. Coach Payne gave me a chance to play and I want to make the best of it.
Murray State College head coach Chris McGill on Henderson:
If I were to describe in one word what Markell is going to bring to the Golden Eagles, it would be confidence. He is a player that feels his shot is going in every time. He's a little shy off the court, but on the court, he's just a different person. He's not cocky and doesn't have a big head, but he draws attention to himself with his pure athletic ability. It can be so infectious both with his teammates and with the crowd. He can drop 20 points on you in a heartbeat and he won't play any differently. He just plays hard and I truly believe he hasn't even scratched the surface of the level of talent he possesses. He is going to grow immensely at Tennessee Tech.
He is just so coachable; in every sense of the word, both on and off the court. Markell is a down-to-earth kid that really knows the value of hard work. He's so respectful both on and off the court and I can't wait to see how much he improves throughout his career with the Golden Eagles.
Soper High School head coach Parker Harless on Henderson:
First and foremost, he is simply a great kid and arguably a better person than player. On the court, he's a terrific scorer and can do that in bunches. Markell was a game changer on both ends of the court for us. He could hit the big shot and come down on defense and lock someone down with his great blocking ability. He proved just how good his blocking skills were in junior college as a guard. His athleticism and length are off the charts and truly are his strongest assets.
Just watching his athleticism, I'd get caught up watching him instead of coaching sometimes. Every once in a awhile, he would do something that no one else out there could or he'd do something that hadn't been seen before by anyone in the arena. He was just so fun to watch and it made coaching him just that much better.
Southwesthoops.com founder Rick McCormick on Henderson:
I truly think Markell's best basketball is in front of him. He's a small town kid that is going to benefit even further in his development from the coaching and strength and conditioning at that next level. His potential is great and he has a good chance to make an impact right away because of his ability to shoot the ball. I believe he'll have a great future at Tennessee Tech.
Photo courtesy of Jeff Warren, Murray State College Communications
