Sonja Henning

Sonja L. Henning (born October 4, 1969) is an American attorney and former collegiate and professional women's basketball player. Born in Jackson, Tennessee, she grew up in Racine, Wisconsin, where she attended Horlick High School.

While at Horlick, Henning earned 12 varsity letters in tennis, track and field, and most notably basketball as a 4-year starter at guard. Henning lead the Racine Horlick Rebels to 2 WIAA basketball tournament appearances, including the championship game in 1987 (her senior year). At the end of Henning's prep basketball career in 1987, Sonja became the state of Wisconsin's all-time leading scorer with 2,236 points, a two-time, first-team, all-state selection, and was chosen to be the 1987 Wisconsin Miss Basketball.

College career Henning attended Stanford University and played for its women's basketball team from 1987 to 1991. She helped the Cardinal win the 1990 NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championship game, defeating Auburn University Tigers 88–81 with 21 points and nine rebounds. The following year, Henning was named Pac-10 Player of the Year

In 1996, the American Basketball League (ABL) was formed, and Henning tried out for a playing spot on a team in the new league. Henning was eventually drafted by the San Jose Lasers, a team which also featured former Stanford players Jennifer Azzi, Anita Kaplan, and Val Whiting.

During the 2000 expansion draft on December 15, 1999, Henning was selected by the Seattle Storm. Henning played with the team from 2000 to part of the 2002 season until she was traded back to the Comets.

Henning also played with the USA team at the 1991 Pan American Games. The team finished with a record of 4–2, but managed to win the bronze medal. The USA team lost a three-point game to Brazil, then responded with wins over Argentina and Cuba, earning a spot in the medal round. The next game was a rematch against Cuba, and this time the team from Cuba won a five-point game. The USA beat Canada easily to win the bronze. Gordon averaged 3 points per game.

Personal life An economics major, Henning graduated from Stanford in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Henning enrolled in Duke University Law School in 1992 where she obtained a Juris Doctor in 1995. Shortly after graduating, Henning starting working as an attorney specializing in labor and employment law for the Littler Mendelson law firm in Los Angeles, California.

Henning served as president of the Women's National Basketball Players Association from 2001 to 2003.

After serving two years as general counsel for Lucy.com, a startup Internet company that sells women's sporting apparel, Henning joined the law firm Tonkon Torp LLP, in Portland, Oregon.

Henning is currently vice president of North American League Partnership for Nike.

Henning was a former board member for the Urban League of Portland.

In May 2005, Henning was elected to a seat on the Portland School Board with more than 70 percent of the vote.