Scoot Henderson, the promising point guard for the Portland Trail Blazers, has made significant strides in his rookie season in the NBA. On January 14, Henderson delivered a standout performance, scoring a career-high 39 points against the Brooklyn Nets. Demonstrating his potential, he has managed to exceed 20 points in seven games this season. Drafted as the third overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft, Henderson was the first point guard selected, a testament to his exceptional abilities.
Despite the challenges typical of a rookie season, Henderson has averaged 14 points per game on 38.5% shooting from the field. He has also averaged 5.4 assists and 3.4 turnovers per game, with a 3-point shooting percentage of 32.5%. His journey began with two seasons playing for the G League Ignite, opting out of a potential senior year in high school and a freshman season in college.
This season, Henderson continues to show improvement, averaging 12.4 points on a more efficient 43.4% field goal percentage over 46 games. He has also maintained an average of 5.3 assists and contributed defensively with 1.1 steals per game.
Henderson's excellence has not gone unnoticed, earning him selection to the Rising Stars Challenge four times—twice with the Trail Blazers and twice with the G League Ignite. Reflecting on the experience of playing in the Rising Stars Challenge, Henderson expressed gratitude for the opportunity.
“Yeah, it’s a blessing. Every single time I went, I prayed. Once I saw I got the invitation, I prayed every single time. So, it’s a blessing man, just to be able to do things like that.” – Scoot Henderson
Unfortunately, due to a right ankle sprain, Henderson will not participate in this year's Rising Stars Challenge during NBA All-Star Weekend at the Chase Center in San Francisco. Nevertheless, his selection for a fourth appearance highlights his growing reputation in the league.
Henderson acknowledges that understanding his role on the court has been crucial to his development.
“It’s just a consistency of knowing where I’m going to get my shots every single game,” – Scoot Henderson
“That’s something that I figured out recently and I’m like, ‘okay, this is how it’s going to be, this is how I got to go on about it and still try to reach my goals every single quarter.’” – Scoot Henderson
Henderson is also focused on creating opportunities for his teammates while improving his decision-making on the court.
“Just get guys open shots. I got the ball in my hand so I can take any shot I want. So that’s up to me. That’s something I got to do better at and that’s something I have gotten better at as a mental note just to attack.” – Scoot Henderson
Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups has noted Henderson's progress and potential.
“The more you play, the more get familiar with it,” – Chauncey Billups
“Games where he has played really aggressive and with a lot of force, he’s usually successful. When he’s struggling a little bit [or] he may be thinking a little too much, he’s a little passive, a little hesitant; he might turn it over a little here, there. When he doesn’t worry about that, he is pretty dangerous.” – Chauncey Billups
Henderson's journey from the G League Ignite to becoming an NBA rookie is marked by determination and resilience. Despite the ups and downs of his inaugural season, his dedication to improving his game is evident.
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