Destanni Henderson puts draft-night expectations in rearview mirror as part of Fever’s new-look lineup

Ahead of the 2022 WNBA Draft, 10 top prospects were invited to New York to attend the event in-person. And as the second round of the draft was nearly over, only one of those 10 – Destanni Henderson – hadn’t yet heard her name called.

Henderson, who was just over a week removed from helping South Carolina win the program’s second NCAA title, admits now that she was a little surprised when she wasn’t selected in the first round.

But 600 miles away from New York, the Indiana Fever’s war room was thrilled that the 5-foot-7 point guard had been overlooked by the other teams.

“We didn’t draft her, we grabbed her,” said Fever GM Lin Dunn.

The Fever were in high speed on draft night, making history as the first franchise to make four picks in the top 10. With the No. 2 overall pick, the Fever chose Baylor’s NaLyssa Smith, followed by Louisville’s Emily Engstler at No. 4, Stanford’s Lexie Hull at No. 6 and another Baylor product in Queen Egbo at No. 10.

And when Indiana’s turn came around again, they pounced Henderson, who averaged 43-percent shooting and 5.1 assists in her junior season and 40.3 and 3.9 as a senior.

“We had already decided to take the best point guard available at 20,” Dunn added. “And we certainly hadn’t expected her to be there. But we were thrilled that she was.”

Henderson says Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley reassured her on draft night that her draft number wasn’t important.

“She told me that I’m in a good position because Indiana is rebuilding,” Henderson said. “They’re looking for people to come in the organization and make a change, make a difference, and win basketball games.”

Just a week-and-a-half into training camp, Dunn said Henderson (or “Henny”) was delivering.

“She’s a multi-dimensional