Blazers land Scoot Henderson with No. 3 pick
With the No. 3 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, the Portland Trail Blazers selected G League Ignite floor general Scoot Henderson.
The Georgia native took an unconventional route to the NBA, opting to skip college in favor of a two-year, $1-million deal with the developmental team. At the time, he was the youngest pro basketball player in U.S. history.
Henderson showed promise as a reserve during his first campaign with the Ignite and carried that momentum into the 2022-23 campaign when he took the reins. Last October, he impressed in a head-to-head showdown against Victor Wembanyama, tallying 28 points, nine assists, and five boards in the Ignite's 122-115 victory over Metropolitans 92.
Henderson created for himself and others, took great care of the rock, and wasn't intimidated by the towering Frenchman's rim presence. He continued to turn heads as the season progressed, playing against experienced pros and recent college graduates on a nightly basis. In any other year, Henderson would probably be the clear No. 1 overall pick.
Bio
Position: Guard
Club: G League Ignite
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 195 lbs
Wingspan: 6-foot-9
Max vertical: N/A
2022-23 stats with G League Ignite
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 44.4 | 32.4 | 75.0 | 5.1 | 6.6 | 17.6 |
Strengths
- Quick first step
- Explosive leaping ability
- Shows great body control when attacking basket
- Changes speeds seamlessly
- Powers through defenders using his strong frame
- Makes great reads out of pick-and-roll
- Pull-up threat in mid-range
Weaknesses
- Outside shooting
- Settles for too many mid-range jumpers
- Defensive engagement; he has physical makeup to be a factor but lost focus at times
NBA comparable: Russell Westbrook. The former MVP was among the players Henderson liked to watch growing up. They each boast elite athleticism for their position, have great court vision, and love to attack downhill.