NBA loves Scott Henderson.
More importantly, the G League loves 19-year-old Henderson, who spent two seasons — including his senior year of high school — playing for the G League Ignite and developing into It is expected that the top three will be selected in the lottery on Thursday NBA Draft.
“He, like other Ignite players, would be ready to play an NBA game,” G League Ignite general manager Anthony McLeish told USA TODAY Sports. “He’ll be ready for summer league play. He’ll be ready for the open gym at training camp. He’s played with the pros. He’s played against the pros. He’s played on the ball. He’s played off the ball. He’s off the bench. He’s been a two-year pro.”
“And for all of these reasons, I think he’s the most prepared player in this draft. And probably in recent memory.”
These are words that are heavy (if not biased) thinking French phenomenon Victor Wimpanyama is an expected first pick.
But McLeish’s view has merits. Henderson took a risk, signing a seven-figure contract at the age of 17 to play in the G League Ignite rather than spend his freshman year with his high school team and freshman season with his college team. And it has thrived against professional players trying to get to or back in the NBA.
While it may not work for every player, it has with Henderson, the 6-foot-2 guard who could go No. 2 to Charlotte or No. 3 to Portland, which is scouring the trade market. He’s only worked for the Hornets and Trail Blazers, but if there’s the right trade, especially for Portland, Henderson could end up somewhere else.
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He’ll join a team with an NBA-ready game after spending two seasons with the Ignite. In 2022-23, Henderson averaged 17.6 points, 6.6 assists, and 5.1 rebounds and shot 44.4% from the field and 32.4% on three-pointers. His shot requires improvement, but this is typical for many beginners.
It is his skill set (dribbling, passing, rebounding, scoring), size and strength (6-2, 196), athleticism (jumping ability, speed, power), maturity and leadership in the game that has drawn comparisons to Russell Westbrook, Donovan Mitchell and Ja Morant.
There’s humility and confidence, he says he’s fearless and can influence any team’s victory.
“I am living the dream,” he told reporters. “It’s what I’ve always wanted. My plate may be full, but I’ll eat. I’m hungry. It’s what I’ve worked for my whole life.”
Team Ignite was formed in 2020 for elite NBA prospects who searched for an alternative path to the NBA. Instead of college or international basketball, they can play in a league under the NBA umbrella with a specific approach to training and development focused on becoming an NBA player.
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G League executives acknowledge that the Ignite experience is not for everyone. Jalen Green, Jonathan Kuminga, and Isaya Todd played on the Ignite team in 2020-21 and were all drafted – #2 Green by Houston, #7 Kuminga by Golden State and #31 Todd by Milwaukee. Last season, Ignite alums MarJon Beauchamp and Jaden Hardy were both selected in the draft.
This season, Ignite forward Leonard Miller is a projected first-round pick, and Ignite continues to bring in players who see the value of a development program designed to help players get to the NBA. London Johnson and Babacar Sane both signed two-year deals in the G League in 2022, and the league announced Wednesday that Ron Holland, one of the top 3 prospects in the high school class of 2023, will join the G League Ignite for 2023-24 in lieu of playing ball. basketball in college.
Henderson provided a roadmap.
“It’s his intellectual maturity and his emotional maturity,” Sherif Abdel-Rahim, president of the Geological Association, told USA TODAY Sports. “You want him to fight some and see how he managed the tough times, how he managed to succeed, how he owned up to the mistakes, how he grew.
Abdul Rahim from He spent 12 seasons in the NBAHe credits Henderson’s parents, Chris and Crystal, for instilling these traits.
“They supported him and allowed him to grow and prepare,” said Abdul Rahim.
(Henderson’s sister, Crystal, led the Kell (Marietta, Ga.) high to a 5A state title in 2023, scored 29 points in the championship game, and will play college basketball at Georgia State, according to the school’s website.)
Ignite is the right team for the right player. The youngest player at 17 to sign with the G League, Henderson was the perfect match. Both sides have been rewarded, and McLeish is sure the NBA team will love everything about Henderson.
“I’m not going to take those two years for granted,” said Henderson. “I’m glad I completed the second year as well. The second year paid off and taught me a lot.”
This article originally appeared in the USA TODAY: Scoot Henderson is moving from the G League Ignite to the highest prospect in the NBA Draft