An NBA career is almost never a linear path.
Some spend a few seasons languishing on the bench before finding a team that would provide them a chance and the necessary reps to succeed. Others take a trip to the NBA G-League, where the reps are many. A few also thrive in Year One, then take a sophomore slump before finding their footing.
For Scoot Henderson, his young NBA career has been a learning process.
Henderson entered the NBA through the G-League Ignite, where he was able to go up against players with NBA experience. That he held his own at that level added more hype and raised a debate on whether he could get drafted ahead of Victor Wembanyama.
But as the 2023-2024 season showed us, the NBA is a different league.

Henderson’s playmaking and his finishing around the rim definitely generated some highlights, but they also came with some lowlights. Efficiency remained a sore point of Henderson’s game and he coughed up the ball quite a lot (3.4 turnovers per game in 2023-2024). Foot and ankle injuries also stunted his growth and saw him get left behind by Wembanyama.
The Portland Trail Blazers were clearly on a rebuild so Henderson was free to use up all the reps available. Learning was obviously his priority and we may be starting to see some signs of his potential this season.
In a five-game stretch between January 14 and 21, Henderson went on a bit of a tear, averaging 20.8 points (on 53.1 percent shooting from the field), 4.2 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 1.4 steals in his last five games. His all-around performance against the Chicago Bulls revealed the value of having a year under his belt and the impact of influencing the game in various ways. The game has slowed down for the 20-year old, who has become better at reading what his opponents are offering on either end of the floor. The urge to go fast and hard all the time can be tempting, but a measured approach leads to better results.Â
The NBA can be a cruel teacher, though, as Henderson then scored a total of six points in the two games that followed against the Orlando Magic and Charlotte Hornets, reminding us that he still has quite a way to go. Henderson battled foul trouble in the game against the Magic and only played in 13 minutes, while he was ineffective in 23 minutes against the Hornets. In their most recent game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Henderson had 25 points in a 10-point loss.

Offensively, Henderson still remains a work in progress, but we have to recognize his efforts on that end as well. His field goal percentage of 42.8% for the season is within the league average of 43.6%, but he has shown flashes of brilliance, such as when he went for a career-high 39 points in a loss to the Brooklyn Nets. His mercurial performances have stopped him from cracking a regular starting gig, but he still has plenty of potential.
Improving his shooting will be critical for his ability to operate inside, as more shooting will lead to more space. While Henderson will continue to face some bouts of inconsistency, the Blazers should be pleased with how he has weathered through adversity. He doesn’t quit on plays and has endured playing with different lineups, a feat that should not be underestimated considering the adjustments he has had to make.
Scoot Henderson isn’t fazed by the journey he has taken in his NBA career thus far. The early bumps in the road have molded him into the player that he is now and with his recent string of performances, it’s hard to live with any regrets especially if the results speak for themselves.
