With 14 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds on average for his rookie season, Scoot Henderson (1m91, 20 years old) saved appearances thanks to his end of the season, including a (short) month of April with 19 points and 10 assists.
Self-proclaimed best rookie of the year, the former Team Ignite player notably finished his first tour in the NBA on a very good note, a 30-point match against the Rockets (including a scintillating 6/7 to 3- points), plus 7 assists and only one lost ball, not far from being his career best.
Real progress
In the month of April alone, he also managed three games with 10 or more passes, including his record 15 against New Orleans, while he had only totaled five over the previous five months.
“Over the last ten to fifteen games of the season, he showed enormous progress. He played at a very high level”confirmed his veteran teammate, Malcolm Brogdon, at a press conference. “People were hard on him at the start of the season but it's difficult to be a high draft pick. He managed to find his place gradually and showed at the end of the season why he was chosen third. »
His progression curve on outside shooting is also interesting. After starting the season at 9/50 from behind the arc, he finished the season at 33%, shooting at a decent 35% after the All-Star Game and even 42% in April.
“His confidence in his shot is increasing. His balance on his shot is much better”appreciates Chauncey Billups in The Athletic. “He is understanding the NBA game, where he is going to have his shooting opportunities, or how to manage the pick & roll. And then, he better understands his opponents, the collective defenses of the different teams. It takes time but he has made good progress. »
Better finish near the circle
Scoot Henderson's big problem, in addition to turnovers, is his 2-point success percentage, at only 42%, among the lowest in the League. And even more so when he approaches the circle. Because if it ensures 45% at mid-distance, it drops to 50% in the zone near the circle and a very small 31% in the floaters zone…
“It’s very important for him because he can go into the paint almost whenever he wants,” underlines his coach. “It’s just repetition. He needs to expand his range of lay-ups. Higher layups, with spin. With both hands. Floaters. You never know what to use in this or that match. »
Well aware of the task that awaits him this summer, including a probable stint in the Las Vegas Summer League, Scoot Henderson is starting his first offseason with a smile and a positive dynamic.
“ [Je vais bosser] my dribbling, with contact. Finishes. Explosiveness. The reactivity. The shooting, obviously. I have a lot of things to work on. I'm also going to make videos to better understand certain situations in our game system.” can he conclude before going on vacation.
| Scoot Henderson | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2023-24 | POR | 62 | 29 | 38.5 | 32.5 | 81.9 | 0.9 | 2.3 | 3.1 | 5.4 | 3.2 | 0.8 | 3.4 | 0.2 | 14.0 |
| Total | 62 | 29 | 38.5 | 32.5 | 81.9 | 0.9 | 2.3 | 3.1 | 5.4 | 3.2 | 0.8 | 3.4 | 0.2 | 14.0 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
