Just how good is Scoot Henderson?
Scoot Henderson is a talented guard prospect with elite length and great athleticism who has showcased the ability to produce at a high level as a scorer and passer. His success at such a young age vs. high-level competition is a strong signal that he can be very good in the NBA.
Since he is so skilled as a passer, ball handler, and mid-range shooter, I believe he has a chance to become an All-Star. He is really good in a lot of key areas, which will allow him to generate a ton of value as a high-usage creator. If these are the only skills that translate, he could still be a good player. However, If his three-point shooting and defense improve a lot, which could realistically happen, we could be looking at an All-NBA caliber player.
This is an exciting ceiling, but it’s scary to think about what his career will look like if he doesn’t improve as a finisher, shooter, and defender. If his production continues to be sub-par in these areas, there’s a real chance he will underperform his draft slot. Small guards who are below-average finishers, shooters, and defenders do not become stars in the NBA.
Of course, Henderson is not even 20 years old yet, and he is far from realizing his potential. What we’ve seen from him so far has been extremely impressive, and he’s probably the second-best player in the 2023 NBA Draft behind Victor Wembanyama. Fans and analysts just need to realize that he is not a perfect prospect, and his flaws are significant, especially for a short guard.
Scoot Henderson is like a beautiful Lamborghini with a faulty motor. On the surface, he seems like a great prospect with limited weaknesses. However, once you look under the hood, you realize that he isn’t perfect and needs some work done to function properly. Hopefully, whichever team drafts him realizes this and works with him to fix his issues because he has the chance to be a star at the next level.