Men's Basketball | 7/23/2025 3:50:00 PM

Academy
XENIA, Ohio – Kentucky State men's basketball student-athlete Keon Henderson has been selected to participate in the 2025 Athletes in Action (AIA) Captains Academy, an elite leadership development program bringing together top collegiate basketball leaders from across the country.

Henderson will represent Kentucky State at the five-day immersion experience, held July 23–27 at AIA's World Headquarters in Xenia, Ohio. The invitation-only program is designed to develop high-character leaders prepared to navigate the evolving college athletics landscape, including the Transfer Portal and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) environment.

The Captains Academy curriculum includes classroom instruction, team-building activities, and leadership development rooted in servant leadership principles. Participants are mentored by former college basketball captains and engage in discussions on effective communication, conflict management, understanding personality temperaments, and fostering a healthy team culture.

A highlight of the program is the Leadership Pyramid, taught by longtime USA Basketball and Indiana Pacers chaplain Morris "Coach Mo" Michalski. Known for his impactful mentorship, Coach Mo provides practical, real-world leadership insights drawn from years of experience working with professional and collegiate athletes.

This year's academy is being hosted at the state-of-the-art John Wooden Family Fieldhouse, a 65,000-square-foot facility named in honor of the legendary UCLA coach. The facility is designed to support the growth of future leaders by creating an intentional environment centered on character-building values.

Henderson joins a distinguished group of past Captains Academy participants, including current Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla, two-time NBA champion Alex Caruso, Grant Williams (Charlotte Hornets), and Duncan Robinson (Detroit Pistons).

For more information about the Captains Academy, visit LeadersGrownHere.com or WoodenFamilyFieldhouse.com.
  
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