Throughout the 2023 draft, fans were sold on G-League Ignite star Scoot Henderson being the second-best rookie off the board. He dominated NBA-level talent and worked tirelessly to become the best version of himself for whatever team selected him.
Henderson eventually fell into the Trail Blazers‘ hands, and they felt it was only right to draft their future point guard. Once superstar Damian Lillard was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, the front office immediately gave him the keys.
Following Henderson’s first regular-season game against the Clippers, Portland realized that patience would be required. He seemed to have the slightest bit of confidence, leading to poor shot selection and careless turnovers. These unexpected errors continued as the weeks went by.
However, Henderson’s game developed significantly throughout his rookie season. He approached his miscues as a lesson to learn, displaying his maturity as a rising star in the NBA.
Scoot Henderson will take an unprecedented leap for the Portland Trail Blazers next season.
The beginning may have been rough, but by the end of his rookie season, Scoot Henderson showed Portland’s front office why they made the right choice. The shooting efficiencies improved, and his overall game on both ends of the floor was coming together, instilling faith in his abilities.
During seven games in April, Henderson stuffed the stat sheet by averaging 19.4 points and 9.7 assists while eclipsing a 40-percent clip from a distance. Teams were clueless on how to guard him. He was consistently knocking down open shots, blowing by his defender, and locating the open man for an easy assist.
Considering Henderson’s combination of athleticism and eye for the game, it is nearly impossible to become a superstar in the modern NBA. He has all the tangibles to live up to the Russell Westbrook draft-day comparison.
Henderson’s name not being listed on the 2024 all-rookie teams may have come as a surprise to many. Every player goes through a slump, but Henderson overcame the negative spotlight and found himself at the top of scouting reports. There is no doubt the former five-star recruit will break out, giving fans a sense of hope as Portland continues its rebuild.
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