- April 23, 2024
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Tamara Henshaw scored a career-high 15 points on two occasions. Photo courtesy of USF Athletics
Henshaw scored 14 points (one off her career-high) on 7-for-9 shooting against UCF. Photo courtesy of USF Athletics
After a stellar high school season at Flagler Palm Coast, Tamara Henshaw often heard naysayers declare she couldn’t play on Division-I level and wouldn’t play much. This past season, Henshaw averaged 26 minutes (fifth-most on team) for the University of South Floruda and was awarded the American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year.
Henshaw helped lead the Lady Bulldogs to their first ever State Final Four in 2015, and she led the team to a 24-2 record and second straight playoff berth her senior season. Considering her college stats and accolades, Henshaw remains an impact player in one of the best conferences (home to UConn) in women’s basketball.
“I expect her to be a building block for USF going forward. I think they will be recruiting to put pieces around her.”
JAVIER BEVACQUA, on FPC alum and USF Lady Bull Tamara Henshaw
“I was extremely surprised I won it,” she said, “because there were a lot of really good freshman in the conference. It makes me feel like I am showing those people who ever doubted me that I can do so much more than what they think.”
In her first season with the Bulls, Henshaw posted a team-best and second-best conference field goal percentage (63%, min. 100 att.), helped lead the Bulls to the Women’s NCAA Tournament and a season 24-9 overall record.
She scored in double figures at least 10 times and recorded double-digit rebounds in as nearly as many games. Henshaw also won back-to-back Player of the Week Awards and had back-to-back games where she recorded 13 points on 73% shooting, 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks.
After winning Freshman of the Year, Henshaw made a call to FPC girls coach Javier Bevacqua to thank him for all he had done for her and is still doing.
“She called me and thanked me for helping, training and getting her ready for college ball,” he said. “But anybody who has ever seen her practice or play knows she never takes a play off. I expect her to be a building block for USF going forward. I think they will be recruiting to put pieces around her.”
Henshaw was recently invited to the USA Basketball U19 World Cup Team tryouts from May 18-21. Although she didn’t make it, she said it was a great experience that motivated her even more.
And, for high school girls looking to follow in her footsteps, Henshaw gave this advice: “Condition, condition, condition. It is no joke in college. Listen to your coaches and don't ever let people tell you what you can't do. They will say you can't do a lot. Prove them wrong.”
