The Portland Trail Blazers have many options with the number three pick in the draft. Many fans and pretend-GMs are throwing out several potential trades involving the pick and Anfernee Simons to grab star players such as Jaylen Brown and Mikal Bridges. After all, Damian Lillard has said on record that he wants to see Portland make moves this offseason to become a championship contender. What if keeping that pick is the best move? Removing consensus first pick Victor Wembanyama, who most draft experts think will go second in Brandon Miller, leaves the Blazers with guard Scoot Henderson. Who is he, and how does he project to the NBA? Let’s take a look!
Henderson emerged as a highly sought-after prospect, earning a coveted five-star consensus rating and securing the second-highest ranking for point guards in the 2021 Class. NCAA Division I programs took notice of his talent during camps held after his freshman year of high school. Ole Miss extended his first Division I scholarship offer, and as he entered his sophomore season, offers poured in from prestigious schools like Florida, Florida State, and Georgia Tech. Making a significant decision, Henderson revealed that he would reclassify to the 2021 class and join the NBA G-League Ignite on a two-year, $1 million contract, turning down enticing offers from Auburn and Georgia.
On November 17, 2021, Henderson made his debut for the Ignite, making an immediate impact with eight points and six rebounds in a 115-103 win against the South Bay Lakers. At just 17 years old, he became the youngest player in G League history. In his second game, Henderson had a remarkable performance, recording a career-high of 31 points, along with six rebounds and five assists, in a narrow 112-110 loss to the Santa Cruz Warriors.
In February 2022, Henderson was privileged to represent Ignite in the Rising Stars Challenge at the NBA All-Star Weekend. He contributed two points for Team Payton in a close 50-48 loss against Team Barry. Throughout the 2021-22 season, he participated in 11 games in the G League Showcase Cup and ten exhibition games, averaging 14.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. For the 2022 season, Scoot averaged 17.6 PPG, 5.1 RPG, and 6.6 APG.
Now we know about Scoot’s performance in the G-League, let’s look at his skills. Scoot can become one of the most influential point guards of recent years. However, it’s essential to note that he is still a work in progress, with specific areas that need refinement. Nevertheless, his physical abilities are extraordinary, and despite his young age, he is already making a significant impact against seasoned players. With his impressive size, speed, and lengthy arms, he presents a formidable challenge to his opponents.
One aspect that sets Scoot apart is his exceptional finishing skills. When he aggressively drives toward the rim, he becomes virtually unstoppable. His creativity around the basket is awe-inspiring, inspiring spectators to admire his moves. Whether scoring inside or pulling up for mid-range shots, he can naturally put points on the board. His explosiveness on drives can be compared to renowned players like Ja Morant and Russell Westbrook.
However, Scoot needs to improve his decision-making abilities. As he progresses in the coming years, developing his skills in orchestrating the offense and making intelligent choices will be crucial. He must maintain his aggressive style throughout this process. His scoring instincts are exceptional and should never be stifled. One area that requires work is his outside shooting. He faced challenges during his initial G League season, shooting a mere 17% from beyond the arc.
We will witness a wholly transformed player if he can enhance his shooting technique. The potential for growth in this young talent knows no bounds. Overall, Scoot’s career projection would have him along the lines of Monta Ellis, the former Golden State star who headlined that 2006-2007 team that upset the Dallas Mavericks as an eight seed. Monta had a similar build and play style to Scoot. If you can put a Monta-esque player next to Damian Lillard right now and pick up a shooter in free agency, I would say this team can compete with the top teams in the league.
