Up next in a series previewing every player on the 15-athlete Ohio State women’s basketball roster is guard Kaia Henderson.

Henderson, the last guard to be previewed at the beginning of the season, has the potential to have an impact, but his rookie campaign did not give fans much of a taste of it. Henderson is from Upstate New York.

Name: Kaia Henderson
Position: Guard
Class: Sophomore
High School: New Hartford High School (New Hartford, New York)
Statistics for 2022–2023: 1.000 FT%, 0.3 rpg, 0.2 apg,.333 FG%, and.286 3FG%

Last Season

Judging by the statistics from last season, Henderson didn’t see much of the court during the 22-23 season. In 13 appearances, the guard averaged 3.3 minutes per game. During a run of early-season games against smaller non-conference opponents, the longest was six minutes against New Hampshire.

It is hard to judge a player’s year or have an impact on it in those few minutes, regardless of the athlete. Henderson appeared in the conference, although he did so late in matches where the outcome was predetermined.

Only twice was Henderson in a game long enough to register more than one shot attempt.

What to Expect

The guard has the ability to be an impact playmaker. At 5-foot-5, the smaller guard still gets to the basket and finds ways to score. Henderson’s amateur career in high school came to an end in good company because of this.

Henderson completed her three years at New Hartford High School with a total of 2,284 points. A school record and best for third in New York Division III history. The same division that current WNBA MVP Brenna Stewart played in at Cicero North Syracuse High School, less than an hour from Henderson’s stomping grounds.

Henderson also defends, being a pest to opposing players. The guard anticipates plays and forces errors similar to starting guard Jacy Sheldon.

Prediction

Guard is a hard position to breakthrough for the scarlet and gray. Next to Sheldon is transfer guard Celeste Taylor. Next to them in guard/forward hybrid Taylor Thierry. Subsequently, Henderson finds it increasingly challenging to be selected for minutes on the bench over team leaders Madison Greene and redshirt senior Rikki Harris.

That being said, following this season, the majority of those names will disappear. For head coach Kevin McGuff, he has a decision to make on how many game minutes Henderson and others in her shoes get while still staying competitive.

That likely means the most minutes Henderson gets will be against those smaller mid-conference schools. Henderson will probably only see a significant amount of playing time if Ohio State starts to worry about injuries, but let us hope he perseveres to stake a claim for a guard position down the road.

Henderson lost three teammates through the transfer portal after the previous season. Likely due to minimal minutes received. The New York guard had an argument herself but is sticking it out in scarlet and gray. That could be rewarded if the time is right.