Women's Basketball | 10/23/2024 1:01:54 PM
HBCU notebook: Destiny Howell’s return excites Howard, HBCUs looking forward to hosting Power Four programs
Written by Rob Knox, The Next Hoops - LINK TO RELEASE
First came the pain. Then the shock. Finally, reality set in.
Surrounded by coaches and doctors in the hospital, Destiny Howell just sat in disbelief, processing the fact that she had torn her anterior cruciate ligament during a scrimmage, ending her season before it started.
While she hated missing a much-anticipated year of basketball, it ultimately became a blessing in disguise for the affable 6’0 Howard University graduate guard. It forced Howell to focus and reflect, which proved to be a perfect combination as she prepares to return better than ever. Howell grew in ways she never anticipated and proved to be a fountain of wisdom to her teammates last season.
“It weighed heavily on my heart, and I tried hard not to show my emotions,” Howell said. “I couldn’t believe this was happening. I had planned to go to the draft and accomplish the big things I set out to do. I was so close to reaching my goals, but then God set me back, and I had to figure out why. That uncertainty drove me crazy for a while. But once I found the positives in a negative situation, it brought me peace and a clear mind. I ended up in a perfect space mentally.”
During the past year, Howell’s sterling character sustained her through the adversity she experienced. Her character also gave her the strength to attack her rehabilitation relentlessly. She found the positives.
“I just know God allowed me to focus on school and graduating with a Howard degree,” said Howell, who earned her degree in leisure studies with a concentration in sports management this past May. “Being out gave me more time to work on myself as a person and player. I saw the game through a different lens from the sidelines. Seeing the game slow down, my basketball IQ went up another level just from watching the game from that perspective for a whole season. I told myself I have another year to get better, faster, and stronger.”
Howell is driven to dominate once again
Howell cherishes the pleasure of playing the game she loves passionately. Before her injury, Howell roared to the basket with a smooth rush of power and soared above defenders with athletic ferocity.
Howell was racking up Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) accolades like a sneaker-head collects Jordans. She was named the 2023 MEAC Player of the Year and 2023-24 MEAC Preseason Player of the Year. She was also named the 2022 MEAC Tournament Most Outstanding Player, as she helped Howard win the championship and a game in the NCAA Tournament.
“I feel great and love where I am at,” Howell shared. “I put in a lot of work to get here. I am feeling good and back into my groove. I am moving better as the weeks go by. I am excited to see where I go and how I grow in a few months.”
Howell’s confidence is due to the grueling rehab she conquered. She was committed to grinding. There were long days and hard moments, yet Howell never wavered in doing whatever it took to get healthy.
There were two stages to Howell’s rehab. For close to two hours on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, she did heavy split squats, single-leg jumps, knee extensions, weighted jump launches, and much more during high-impact sessions. Then, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, she focused on conditioning and lifting weights. She rested on Sundays, with each one bringing her closer to returning.
Motivational text messages from her mom, in the form of Bible verses, lifted Howell’s spirits. Howard head coach Ty Grace also tore her ACL, so she was able to share her experiences with Howell, which helped. Howell also received plenty of positive messages and care baskets from her friends and fans from all over the world.
“I had to learn to be a leader, and it was super hard,” Howell said. “Before, I was a person who led by example. I had to take a step back. I knew I was being tested. If my voice holds weight while I am out, I imagine what it will be like when I return. Any opportunity I had to share with the team what I saw, whether it was something about their defense or giving life advice, I did it. I feel like I made an impact. Being out also taught me a lot of patience.”
This was the first significant injury for Howell, who was introduced to basketball by her dad, Steven, at the age of nine. It wasn’t until she was 13 that Howell began to take basketball seriously, realizing it could open doors for her.
“She looks perfect and is just a competitor,” Grace said. “She’s a good teammate, and I’ve seen much growth in her. She encouraged and helped her young teammates by feeding them information she had seen. She wants to be a coach in addition to being an entrepreneur. She was observant and asked a lot of questions.”
Now, Howell headlines a talented, deep, and experienced Howard roster. Howard was chosen as a MEAC co-favorite with Norfolk State in the preseason poll released earlier this month. Howell, Tyana Walker, Kaiya Creek, and Nile Miller earned All-MEAC Preseason recognition.
After two consecutive heart-wrenching MEAC championship losses to Norfolk State, the Bison are more motivated than ever. Last season’s narrow 51-46 defeat to the Spartans left Howard with a lingering sense that they were the better team.
Howell, sidelined due to injury, could only watch and offer support. Her pain that day came from watching and not being able to play. Many believe she could have been the difference in last year’s title game, and the team is laser-focused on redemption.
Each sweat-soaked summer session demanded more — longer hours in the gym, extra shooting drills, additional reps in the weight room, and another lap around the track. Whatever it took, the Bison team was all in, pushing harder than ever.
“We were in shock when it happened,” recalled Grace of Howell’s injury. “Right after surgery, she got to work immediately with rehab and going full throttle. She was focused and determined and never let up. She was there every time she could be in the gym and rehab. She was down about (Howard losing in the championship) and couldn’t wait to get back. We’re excited to have her back.”
Setbacks only fueled Howard’s resolve
“It’s a ton of motivation,” Grace said of the MEAC Tournament setback to Norfolk State. “That’s the expectation here: to go and win a championship. We don’t think about anything else, and it’s something that’s been built over time. The last two years hurt them … Nobody cares about excuses because we expect to win. We’ve had a great mindset during the summer. Everybody was meshing and jelling, and I’ve noticed a lot of growth. They know what they want and are willing to do what it takes. They know that one team has been taking it away from them lately.”
Grace has constructed a championship culture at Howard, defined by high expectations, hard work, and an atmosphere of fun. Under her leadership, the Bison have maintained strong player retention, with few athletes opting for the transfer portal. Her thoughtful and strategic recruiting approach strengthens the family-like environment that defines the team, fostering both unity and success.
This atmosphere has enabled Howell to thrive, helping her discover her voice, purpose, and focus. As the season approaches, Howell has done everything during preseason practices except scrimmage. According to Grace and Howell, she is close to being cleared for everything.
Howell just wants to enjoy each bus ride, private moments in the locker room, and having fun with her teammates on and off the floor. With a wide smile on her face, Howell was dancing with Walker and Howard men’s players Bryce Harris and Marcus Dockery during MEAC Media Day at the Norfolk Marriott Waterside Hotel.
She’s focused on one thing. The statistics will take care of themselves. Howell has the mental receipts from watching the Spartans and their fans celebrate for a second straight year.
“All the support I received during my rehab made me feel loved and motivated me to come back even more,” Howell said. “We have a different team this year. Talking and hearing about how we are the favorites is cool, but we are at the point where it’s time to get it done. Our goal as a program is a championship, so let’s get it done now.”
Howell is back and ready to close her career with one more championship.