Trail Blazers’ Scoot Henderson ranked 18th on top point guard list by HoopsHype
Scoot Henderson is expected to play a pivotal role with the Portland Trail Blazers next season and the third pick is projected to be one of the top point guards, as a result.
Henderson debuted with the Trail Blazers in the NBA Summer League, producing 15 points, six assists, five rebounds and one steal against the Houston Rockets on July 7. However, his stay was cut short after suffering a shoulder injury in that contest.
He was eventually ruled out of playing after one appearance.
Looking ahead, HoopsHype recently published their list of the top 24 point guards in the league for the 2023-24 season. Henderson is the only rookie on the list and checks in at No. 18.
Henderson was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers with the intention of him becoming the team’s next franchise cornerstone floor general. Henderson’s outside jumper is a work in progress but besides that, he’s an outstanding prospect – a lead guard with tenacity, top-notch speed and athleticism, two-way toughness, lateral quickness and solid playmaking skills.
He’s also already showing he’s got a reliable pull-up and step-back jumper from the midrange, indicating he should one day be – at worst – a solid 3-point shooter. The future is bright for Henderson and he should be one of the favorites for Rookie of the Year in 2023-24.
Of course, Henderson was viewed as the possible second pick after a strong two-year run with the G League Ignite. He performed well against the increased competition level in the G League and should continue that run next season with Portland.
The 19-year-old currently has the third-best odds (+400) of winning Rookie of the Year, trailing only Chet Holmgren (+350) and Victor Wembanyama (-130). With the future of Damian Lillard in question, Henderson could be in store for a strong season.
