Arnold Henderson

Basketball Builder — Inducted 1988

Arnold Henderson made significant contributions to the development of basketball in Alberta as a player, coach, instructor, and official. His leadership helped advance coaching methods and officiating standards while strengthening amateur basketball programs throughout the province.

Henderson began playing basketball in the 1920s while attending the University of British Columbia, where he also started his coaching career. During this period, he introduced and promoted the zone defence style of play, an approach that became an important tactical development in Canadian basketball.

He later served as assistant coach of the renowned Edmonton Commercial Graduates women’s basketball team, widely known as the Edmonton Grads. Henderson worked closely with the team to develop advanced strategies including zone defence systems, pivot play, post play, and screen-play techniques, complementing the Grads’ fast passing and fast-breaking style of competition.

In addition to his work with the Grads, Henderson coached several successful teams, including the Gradettes girls’ team, the McDougall boys’ team, and the senior men’s Aurora team, which captured a provincial championship.

Committed to improving the quality of officiating and coaching across Alberta, Henderson organized and conducted numerous basketball officials’ clinics throughout the province. He also served two terms as chairman of the Alberta Basketball Referees’ Association, helping strengthen training standards and support for referees.

After Induction