Busy June Ahead For Hendrix

Richard Hendrix, the No. 4 ranked player in the country by Rivals.com, has been playing like people expect him to be. The Athens (Ala.) High School anchored his Alabama Lasers team championship run at the Challenge in the South on the campus of the University of Alabama. The Crimson Tide is one of his two finalists and he gave us his thoughts on his time in Tuscaloosa.

The 6-foot-8, 250-pound power forward has dominated the field this AAU circuit by averaging nearly 20 points and 10 rebounds per a game in nearly every tournament. At the Challenge in the South, he looked relaxed and he said he enjoyed playing at Coleman Coliseum.

“This was fun,” Hendrix said at the conclusion of the championship game. “You know I was just here but it was good to be back and play here. I enjoyed it.”

For Hendrix, June is a time to get away from school and the AAU circuit. He’ll spend time working on his individual game, particularly his ball handling skills and his three point shot - both of which looked great last weekend. He is also contemplating what school is best, Alabama or North Carolina.

“It’s been kind of nice to sit back, relax and just enjoy the summer lately,” Hendrix said. “I haven’t been thinking about (what school to attend) too terribly much but it is definitely on my mind. Both of the schools offer a lot and right now, I’m just weighing schools.”

Hendrix has a busy summer ahead. He will attend the intimate skills training session at Nike headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon. Only 18 players from the country will be there. He will then fly to Colorado Springs for the USA Development Youth Festival from the Pacific Northwest. Then a short break and it’s back on the road to the Nike All-American camp and a trip to the Peach Jam in mid-July.

Even with a busy couple of weeks this June, he said he is still contemplating his decision and he doesn’t have a timetable on a decision. Hendrix admitted the only time he feels the pressure of making a decision is answering the questions of where he will be going.

“The pressure isn’t from my family or my friends or the coaches,” Hendrix said. “More than anything it’s just answering all of the questions at the tournaments and the phone calls. I understand why they call but right now I’m still thinking.”

In the meantime, he’s just improving his already stellar skills. And Alabama and North Carolina fans can rest assured that the player they covet will come to their school as a multi-faceted player.