TOLEDO, Ohio — After a great basketball career at Start High School and Bowling Green State University, Anthony Henderson started playing professionally in Canada.
He and his brother moved out to California in the offseason. The plan was always to go back to Canada to continue his professional playing career, but then Hollywood happened.
"I didn't think about acting or anything like that," Henderson said.
He found work as a basketball player in commercials, and then music videos. Henderson's biggest break came when he got a part (or more accurately, parts) on HBO's "Winning Time" series about the Showtime Lakers.
"I was 12 different guys," Henderson explained. "For season one I was Tiny Archibald, I was Earl Monroe, etc. For season two I was the stunt double for [DeVaughn Nixon's character] Norm Nixon."
But Henderson's Instagram page has maybe generated the most attention. His videos recreate specific NBA Finals moments. It sounds like something that would only appeal to a few diehard basketball fans but his videos have racked up millions of views.
"That was figuring out something I could do that I could post every day because that's what it's all about in the social media world is being consistent," Henderson said. "That was a good way for me to do that."
Adam Rodriguez was one of Henderson's high school coaches at Start. He says he couldn't believe a kid as quiet as him would have a career in media.
"He was just so shy," Rodriguez said. "He came out of his shell. Him going out there and doing what he's doing, it's shocking, but he's just a good kid."
Henderson never would've guessed his life would become what it is today, but he's even more excited about the possibilities of tomorrow.
"To create these avenues for myself, not only me, but for my family and friends, it's amazing," Henderson said. "And it's only the beginning, that's the most exciting part. We have so much more to unlock."