FEATURE: Destiny Garrett Brings Successes, Leadership To The Court For The Eagles
12/16/2025 1:08:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Graduate point guard has made a big splash at Georgia Southern and in the Sun Belt this season
STATESBORO - Georgia Southern senior point guard Destiny Garrett has had an excellent start to the 2025-26 season for the Eagles, but that should come as no surprise as her long road to Statesboro has proven that she can play outstanding basketball at every level.
The Bessemer, Ala., native is leading the Eagles in both scoring and assists this year, much like she did at Georgia Southwestern State last season when she earned All-Peach Belt Conference honors for the Hurricanes.
Her decision to transfer to Georgia Southern for this season came down to her relationship with Eagles head coach Hana Haden. "She was my coach at Georgia Southwestern," Destiny said about playing for Coach Haden during the 2023-24 season. "And when I came on my visit, the atmosphere was great. It was family oriented and a great place for me."
The decision to continue her basketball career at Georgia Southern wasn't simply about transferring to a new program; it was about returning to play for a coach she trusted and stepping into an environment that felt like home. Destiny's path to Statesboro was built on relationships, resilience and the steady growth of a player determined to lead both on and off the court. Her relationship with Coach Haden remains a key part of her success and their bond extends beyond basketball. Destiny credits Coach Haden with playing a vital role in helping her find confidence and break out of her shell. As a mentor, she has consistently pushed Destiny to embrace her strengths, to trust her instincts and to take charge when her team needs her the most.
But Destiny's experience so far at Georgia Southern isn't limited to just her relationship with her coach. The team's chemistry has been one of the most rewarding parts of her time as an Eagle. Destiny describes her teammates as a group that communicates openly, supports one another and understands the importance of constructive feedback. Regardless of class year or experience, every player is committed to their role and embraces the commitment of improving as a team.
"We all want to get better and win together," Destiny said. "Everyone knows their role and we encourage each other every day." And through the non-conference schedule, the Eagles have put that into practice as they head into this week's Sun Belt slate of games with a 7-3 record and a six-game winning streak.
While Destiny's play this year would give the impression that basketball has been her passion over her entire life, her athletic journey shockingly did not begin on the court. She actually started in cheerleading before shifting to basketball at a young age. But she quickly found passion in the sport that led to chasing her dream of playing college basketball.
Athletics have always been present in Destiny's family. Her mother, Rickeya, has been one of her strongest sources of support, encouraging her through every step of her journey. Several other family members invested in her love of basketball and she credits them for building a solid foundation of love, inspiration and competition that helped shape her during her childhood.
On the court, Destiny has established herself as a leader, particularly through her playmaking abilities. For her, it all comes down to "getting people in the right position to hit their spots. Being a leader and being there for their team." With that experience comes responsibility, and Destiny embraces the opportunity she has to guide the younger players, to set the tone and to model what it means to be disciplined and selfless.
Off the court, Destiny carries a sense of pride in her roots. Growing up in Bessemer, just outside of Birmingham, she attended Pleasant Grove High School where she was an All-State honoree. She has one brother, Darrien, and one sister, Darriyana, who both support her in her journey at Georgia Southern. As she continues this journey, she brings with her the values that have shaped her life so far; trust, hard work, leadership and belief in herself and her family.
Whether she is facilitating the offense, uplifting a teammate, knocking down a big shot or battling through adversity, her commitment to the program is unwavering. Her story is rooted in the relationships she has made and her driven growth is a testament to what happens when a student-athlete finds the rigth environment, the right mentor and the right team to call home.
