Taylor Henderson eager for second opportunity with Purdue women's basketball
Taylor Henderson's first season with the Boilermakers was over before it had a chance to start, suffering an injury on the first day of practice: "Last year was challenging"
When Katie Gearlds’ roster is finalized, expect to see 12 new faces.
However, one of those new faces is actually a familiar one who was on last year’s roster but didn’t play a single minute in the team’s 30 games.
Let’s explain.
Taylor Henderson, who transferred from UNC Wilmington prior to the 2025-26 season, suffered an Achilles injury on the first day of official practice last September.
The 5-foot-11 guard/forward completed the transition from her former school, had settled into her West Lafayette surroundings, made it through summer workouts, and was poised to contribute.
But after Henderson collapsed on the court, her season was over before it started.
Fast-forward 10 months, and Henderson is still working her way back from the injury. One month ago, Henderson said she was “85-90%” and continues to show improvement every day in hopes of playing a significant role on this year’s team.
“Last year was challenging,” Henderson said. “I’m still in it right now, but I took it as a way just to learn. I transferred into the Big Ten, and I wasn’t really sure what to expect.
“Even sitting out that year, I could see what I’ll be up against this upcoming season. I was trying not to be so down about being injured, and just looked at it in a more positive light.”
Henderson is still limited in contact drills and live play but focuses on individual work until she reaches 100%. She has time. Official practice doesn’t begin for two months, and the Boilermakers will need her contributions when the season begins.
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She’s been through the injury drill before.
Henderson suffered a knee injury as a freshman at Wilmington, forcing her to miss the 2022-23 season. But she led the Seahawks in scoring, assists and steals as a redshirt freshman, earning a spot on the Coastal Athletic Association All-Rookie team. She averaged 12 points and 6.1 rebounds during her sophomore season before entering the transfer portal.
Henderson reflected on that moment nearly a year ago, saying she was already “having a bad day in general,” but her mindset quickly shifted to the what’s next stage once the injury situation became reality.
“I’ve been hurt before, and sometimes that just comes with the game,” she said. “It was about what were my next steps going to be like? What’s my next plan? You know I’m going to get back to 100%.”
In the aftermath of the injury, her relatively new teammates kept her spirits up with a basket of goodies and gifts. Henderson had been on campus for about four months and was still developing chemistry with those in the program.
“They had my back, and they were here for me,” she said. “That was something that I thought was really cool, especially with a lot of transfers, a lot of new people. We were still trying to get connected when I got hurt. They helped me through that when it happened.”
What was Gearlds’ plan for Henderson last year, and does it change with basically a new roster this season?
“We thought she’d be able to play (small forward/power forward) for us,” Gearlds said. “At the end of the summer, we probably thought she was going to be our starting (small forward). She’s someone who gave us a different look on the perimeter.
“And now, we’ve got to get her healthy. She looks good, but the Achilles is so funny. You think you can do it, but you’ve got to be very mindful of it. I think Taylor’s done a good job of putting herself in a position to get back in terms of her role.”
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Henderson is a bigger guard who’s proven she can rebound and play downhill. However, that was at the mid-major level, and the question - not just with Henderson but other players on the roster - will the play at their previous schools translate against Big Ten competition?
When Henderson was able to get on the court after the injury, she’s worked on her perimeter shooting. In her two seasons at Wilmington, Henderson made just 23% (38 of 165) from beyond the arc.
“She wasn’t known as a capable shooter or a good 3-point shooter, and she’s done a good job of working hard and feeling really comfortable with her ability to shoot the basketball from the outside right now,” Gearlds said.
Although she didn’t play last season, Henderson believes she’s ahead of the curve. She’s watched Gearlds and the returning members of her coaching staff oversee practices and games, understand the style of play, and expectation level.
“We have a whole new team again this year, and I’ve actually got to experience the coaching staff and the way we want to play and things of that nature,” Henderson said. “They’re looking to me more as a leader, more of a vocal leader because I’ve been here before and I am older.”
Great story on Taylor—I love this site—always a great job of writing a story—this year I am really enthused about the team—almost all new players with four very good returnees—I can’t read her mind—but Katie has to like this team—how will we do—if the players and the Coaching staff are on the same page—same goals—well— I say—THE SKY IS THE LIMIT—WOW —look at the talent—worldwide talent—like I said before—Katie hit the Lottery when she recruited—GOOD JOB—I am curious —who will be the point guard—looking at this team—I bet some of the players that left on the Portal bus—might just be kicking themselves you know where-–they did not want to stay and build—so they moved on— I can’t remember any of them—gone and forgotten—maybe down the road we will hear about some scrimmage games and hear how the players are doing—I wish them he very best—GO BOILERS !!!—-Ed from Wanamaker—-my advice to all these players—at the end of the seasn—guess what will show up—the PORTAL BUS-with a new paint job and lots of snacks if you get on—your future is here—make it happen—you will be a Boilermaker for life——-Ed from Wanamaker.