Top-20 recruit Shelton Henderson commits to Duke

Shelton Henderson, a top-20 prospect in the 2025 class and the No. 1 ranked player out of Texas, has committed to Duke, he told On3.

The 6-foot-6 four-star small forward out of Bellaire High (TX) ultimately chose Jon Scheyer and the Blue Devils over Texas and Louisville, but also received offers from Houston, LSU, Texas Tech, and more.

Henderson is the nation’s No. 16 overall prospect and the No. 5 small forward in the 2025 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking — a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

The Houston native becomes the fourth commitment for Duke this cycle, joining Five-Star Plus+ PF Cameron Boozer (No. 2 nationally), four-star PG Cayden Boozer (No. 20), and four-star SF Nikolas Khamenia (No. 26).

Henderson on his commitment to Duke

Shelton Henderson discussed his decision with On3.

“I chose Duke because they believe in me. The pipeline is so deep with who they have sent to the NBA and I think they could also get me there. I also enjoyed the atmosphere and the fanbase. This has been my dream school since I started watching basketball.”

Henderson wants to develop his game further and believes Duke is the place for that. His relationship with associate head coach Jai Lucas makes this decision more comfortable for him.

“I think coach Scheyer and the whole staff will really push me to be the best me and help me play to my strengths but also work on my weaknesses day in and day out. Also, Jai Lucas being on the staff and him being from Houston, really gives me a sense of relief to know I have someone who gets where I’m coming from.”

In his own words, what type of player is Duke getting in Shelton Henderson?

“I would describe my game as an aggressive, downhill-type player that can create for others and playmake off the dribble. And also impact the game in a huge way on defense and being able to rebound at a high level.”

He has a message for Duke fans.

“I’m ready to come in and work and get something special done in Durham.”

Scouting Report

“Shelton Henderson is a strong-framed, densely built, explosive wing. Listed at 6-5, he has explosive burst and plays with an innate toughness on both ends of the floor. Offensively, he is comfortable on the ball. He has a good first-step to get by his man and the strength to hold him off with contact. He has good floor vision and makes quick decisions with the ball. Comfortable as a secondary initiator. The jump shoot will need re-tooling. It is inconsistent right now, allowing defenses to sag off and clog the lane. Henderson is a good positional rebounder and he can defend up or down a line up, comfortable containing the one through four at this level. He has an alpha mentality and brings a lot of winning attributes to a team. Production follows him in each setting he has played.” – On3’s Jamie Shaw

Henderson recently named one of the Top-10 Defensive Stoppers

On3’s Jamie Shaw recently wrote that Shelton Henderson was one of the top defensive stoppers in the 2025 class:

“It is it always the prettiest with Shelton Henderson, but more often than not, the results are productive. Henderson has a lengthy and strong 6-foot-6 frame. He is able to guard all three perimeter positions and can even switch down a lineup to guard the four for some possessions. Henderson gathers deflections in the passing lanes and he is a solid rebounder at his position. A guy who simply does the tough-guy things on the floor that others typically do not want to do.”