King/Drew senior Sadiq Henry is a dual sport athlete who was team captain of the Golden Eagles football team during it’s inaugural season. He noted how the skills from football and basketball give him a competitive edge.
“For basketball carrying over into football, you have this speed and athleticism that most football players don’t have because they’re lifting all year round,” Henry said. “For football carrying over into basketball, there’s a certain type of strength and aggressiveness that you have that most basketball players don’t have.”
During his junior year, Henry flaunted a 3.9 GPA. While managing his studies along with his athletics, he worked at the Watts Health Center, volunteered to read to youth and be a tutor for the organization Bridge Builders. With the help of a planner, Henry organized his commitments.
“I write down the date so I know when I need to do certain things or when I’m gonna be free,” he said. “Another thing is communication with my teachers so they understand If I’m missing class for a game, I’ll have time to make that up.”
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Henry uses his time wisely when it comes to completing his homework, working on it during classes, nutrition, and lunch time. He noted how being a student athlete is about being dedicated.
“Being a student athlete, especially being a multiple-sport athlete … school ends at 3:30, I practice until 6:30 and I might have to lift,” Henry said. “I live far, so I might be getting home at 9-9:30, I still have to eat, shower, do homework, and stuff.”
Henry was unable to compete with the boy’s basketball team last November because of his commitment to the football team. His time on the gridiron gave him leadership skills he ultimately used on the hardwood.
“In football, having that leadership role, you had a lot more freedoms as a player on the field … and a lot of guys listen to you more,” Henry said. “Translating over to basketball, having those leadership qualities, it makes you a lot more observant to things that are happening.”
A challenging moment for Henry was playing basketball during his freshman year. Due to the Pandemic Shutdown, the schedule was limited. Despite the challenges he faced, Henry learned how to be consistent.
“We only played six games that season, so it was really hard to get into it that year,” Henry said. “I just overcame it by staying with the team, practicing.”
As a football player, Henry overcame the woes of being sidelined with an injury. This was the first time he had to deal with an injury.
“I got blindside hit, I thought I was good, I got up too quick and I was wobbling so they diagnosed me with a concussion, I didn’t play that game,” Henry said. “You really want to play and you physically are not able to.”
With Henry’s efforts, the football team came in second in the Coliseum League while the boy’s basketball team became League champions.
In the future, Henry wants to become a Division I college football player. He desires to have a career in computer science or sports medicine.
“If I don’t make it as an athlete I want to be close to the field,” Henry said. “I don’t like sitting-at-desk jobs … I prefer to be in the field, moving, working.”
