Richard Hendrix: From College Standout to Broadcasting Career
Richard Hendrix is a name familiar to basketball fans, both for his accomplishments on the court and his transition to the broadcast booth. This article explores his journey from a decorated high school player to a college star at the University of Alabama, his professional basketball career overseas, and his current role as a college basketball analyst for ESPN.
Early Life and High School Career
Richard Hendrix was born and raised in Athens, Alabama, the son of two educators. His athletic journey began at the age of five, playing basketball at the local recreation center. Hendrix also participated in soccer, tennis, baseball, and football, excelling in each. At Athens High School, Hendrix was a four-year starter on the varsity basketball team, coached by his father, Venard Hendrix.
Hendrix's high school career was filled with accolades. He was named 5A Player of the Year and selected as Alabama Mr. Basketball in 2005. He finished his career with 92 double-doubles, nine triple-doubles, and two quadruple-doubles. Hendrix scored 2,915 points in his career and currently holds Alabama high school state records for career rebounds (1,820) and blocked shots (667).
Considered one of the most decorated prep basketball players in Alabama high school history, Hendrix was selected as a two-time Parade All-American and as a participant in the 2005 McDonald's All-American Boys Game. As a five-star recruit by Rivals.com, Hendrix was listed as the No. 3 power forward.
College Career at the University of Alabama
After a decorated high school career, Hendrix chose to attend the University of Alabama over the University of North Carolina. He teamed up with future NBA player Alonzo Gee and future European professional players Ronald Steele, Chuck Davis, Jermareo Davidson, and Mykal Riley. Under Head Coach Mark Gottfried, Hendrix and the Crimson Tide experienced its share of highs and lows.
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Hendrix graduated from the University of Alabama in 2008, completing his degree in three years before turning pro. He was a two-time All-SEC Performer and an Academic All-SEC member (2008). In his final season at Alabama, he led the SEC in rebounds, averaging 17.8 points and 10.1 rebounds per game.
Professional Basketball Career
After an All-SEC performance in his junior season, Hendrix decided to forgo his final year of college eligibility and opt for the 2008 NBA draft. Hendrix was drafted by the Golden State Warriors with the 49th overall pick. He competed in the preseason for the Warriors, registering a double-double of 12 points and 13 rebounds in his debut against the Oklahoma City Thunder before making the final roster. After spending several weeks on the inactive list, Hendrix was assigned to the NBA Developmental league. He was named to the 2009 NBDL All-Star Game on February 3, 2009, selected as a starter on the Red Team, and helped lead his team to a 113-103 victory.
In July 2009, Hendrix signed a one-year contract with Liga ACB team CB Granada, helping lead the club to the most wins in club history as a member of the Spanish 1st Division. Hendrix's professional career spanned 13 years across 7 countries, including Spain, Israel, Italy, Russia, Turkey, France, and Japan. He played for notable clubs such as Maccabi Tel Aviv, Olimpia Milano, and Lokomotiv Kuban, winning eight titles and making many All-Star appearances. In August 2019, he signed with Osaka Evessa of the B.League, averaging 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. In June 2020, Hendrix joined Niigata Albirex. Hendrix retired from professional basketball in 2021.
Broadcasting Career
Hendrix joined ESPN in 2023 as a college men’s and women’s basketball analyst for the SEC Network and ESPN. During his inaugural season with the network, he provided color commentary during the SWAC and ASUN championship games.
Personal Life and Legacy
Today, Hendrix is married with three children and is committed to nurturing a new generation of athletes. The Athens, Ala. native has conducted the “Richard Hendrix Basketball Camp” since 2010.
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Other Notable Individuals Named Richard Hendricks
It is important to note that the name "Richard Hendricks" is also associated with other individuals, including a volleyball player and a fictional character.
Richard Hendricks (Volleyball)
Prior to the start of the 2025 Cricket Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Men's Volleyball Championship, the conference unveiled their 2025 SIAC Postseason All-Conference selections. Richard Hendricks, a native of Kingston, Jamaica, finished first in the conference with 306 kills and 349.0 total points. Hendricks racked up three double-doubles on the season and finished with double-figure kills in all but six games. Richard Hendricks was also named to the SIAC Elite 16.
Richard Hendricks (Fictional Character)
Richard Hendricks (played by Thomas Middleditch) is a fictional character in the TV series "Silicon Valley." He was the CEO and founder of Pied Piper as well as PiperNet, and is currently a Gavin Belson Professor of Ethics in Technology at Stanford. Before founding Pied Piper, Richard was an employee of Hooli. While at Hooli, Richard worked on the Pied Piper algorithm. Though timid and nervous, Richard is an intelligent coder and very passionate about what he does. He can be a perfectionist and spends a lot of time making sure everything is fitting his vision, and has even refused to hire coders and date someone because of the way they wrote their code. His anxiety causes him to struggle with being a respectable figure to his friends, coworkers, and others he's in business with, and often becomes the target for bullying.
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