Last Updated on April 14, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here is the detailed profile for Gerald Henderson Sr.:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Jerome McKinley Henderson Sr.
  • Nationality: American
  • Date of Birth (DOB): January 16, 1956
  • Hometown: Richmond, Virginia, USA
  • Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
  • Weight: 175 lb (79 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 ft 5 in
  • Shoe Size: 12 US
  • Jersey Number: 12, 30 (varied by team)
  • Position: Shooting Guard / Point Guard
  • High School: Huguenot High School (Richmond, Virginia)
  • College: Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)
  • NBA Draft:
    • Year: 1978
    • Round: 3
    • Pick: 64
    • Team: San Antonio Spurs
  • Teams Played For:
    • San Antonio Spurs (1979–1980)
    • Boston Celtics (1980–1984)
    • Seattle SuperSonics (1984–1986)
    • New York Knicks (1986–1987)
    • Detroit Pistons (1987–1988)
    • Houston Rockets (1988–1989)
  • Championship Rings: 1 (Boston Celtics, 1984)
  • Kids:
    • Gerald Henderson Jr. (son)
    • Jade Henderson (daughter)
  • Siblings: Not publicly listed

Player Archetype / Play Style

Gerald Henderson was a defensive-minded guard whose archetype fit the mold of a high-energy role player capable of guarding multiple backcourt assignments while contributing opportunistic scoring. Defensively, he specialized in perimeter pressure, using anticipation and quick hands to disrupt passing lanes and create steals, often drawing tough matchups against opposing guards. Offensively, Henderson worked primarily as a complementary scorer—pushing the ball in transition, finishing on cuts, and knocking down open mid-range looks when defenses collapsed on star teammates. At about 6’2″ with a sturdy frame, strong balance, and good lateral mobility, he relied more on toughness and instincts than elite size. His overall play style revolved around effort and defensive activity: he sparked fast breaks with turnovers, played within the flow of the offense, and provided steady two-way minutes on championship-caliber teams.

Sources:
basketball-reference.com — https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hendege01.html
nba.com — https://www.nba.com/stats/player/76845
sports-reference.com — https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/gerald-henderson-1.html