Drafted in 3rd position by the Blazers, Scooter Henderson arrives in a franchise in full doubt, and with an uncertain future. Damian Lillard’s transfer request puts the team’s project on hold, but also the ambitions of the former Team Ignite player since he does not yet know if he will have the keys to the franchise. Will he be the playmaker, or the 2nd back alongside Lillard? Will he be 6th man if Chauncey Billups maintains his confidence in the Lillard-Simons tandem?
Author of a lightning passage in the Summer League (15 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds for a single game) because of a painful shoulder, Henderson does not yet have the answers, but there is still someone one of very ambitious. The proof, he intends to seize the trophy of Rookie of the year, promised rather to Victor Wembanyama.
“I’m going to win the rookie of the year trophy. I never doubt myself, I always make sure I play well. I’m not saying I want to have a good rookie season: I’m going to have a good rookie season! I will have a great career.” entrusts humbly Scoot Henderson to the “Playmaker” YouTube channel. Another character trait, he does not want to be compared to anyone: “I want to give my best, not try to compare myself… Everyone has their own abilities, I don’t want to try to be someone else. I want to be my own role model, and become the best version of myself.”
The Made in Georgia Mentality
This determination, the leader says he draws it from his roots. Born into a family of basketball players, Henderson takes his cue from his parents and two sisters who run a youth center, the Next Play 360, in his hometown of Marietta, Georgia. A center that relies on the virtues of sport in the development and educational support of young people.
And when it comes to Georgia, Scoot Henderson proudly takes a cue from Collin Sexton And Jaylen Brown. According to him, their state of mind and their rage on the ground are in the DNA of this southern state of the United States. “You have to pick us up” sums up the hyper-athletic point guard, often compared to Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook.
