Prospect Watch: Is Scoot Henderson the best NBA Draft prospect in the world?
Plus Rookie, Sophomore and Draft Prospect of the Week
During the NBA, college and international seasons, my Tuesday newsletter will focus on NBA rookies and sophomores as well as prospects for the 2022 NBA Draft, especially those who have helped or hurt their stock in the past week.
My reports will be based on my own observations as well as information I receive from NBA scouts, executives and agents.
Is Scoot Henderson the best NBA prospect in the world?
The bulk of the NBA scouting world was in Vegas on Friday to see Chet Holmgren and Paolo Banchero go head-to-head. The matchup was billed as a strong predictor of who will go No. 1 in the 2022 NBA Draft.
However, neither Banchero nor Holmgren was the most impressive NBA draft prospect playing that night. That honor goes to a 17-year-old playing 533 miles down the road in Santa Cruz, California.
Scoot Henderson was playing in just his second game for G League Ignite, who faced the Santa Cruz Warriors, led by 2021 lottery picks Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody.
Henderson, who came off the bench, exploded for 31 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals while shooting 10-for-15 from the field for the Ignite. He achieved this feat while, at times, being guarded by Kuminga, a bigger, equally athletic wing.
He followed up on Sunday night with a team-high 22 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists against the Stockton Kings. And then had a team high 27 points (on 10-for-18 shooting), eight rebounds, four assists and four steals on Monday night in yet another win against the Stockton Kings. He was a crazy +26 in Monday’s game.
The explosive 6’4” point guard doesn’t turn 19 until February 3, 2023, making him ineligible for the 2022 NBA Draft. But if he were eligible?