Scoot Henderson leaves NBA Summer League debut with shoulder injury, will not return

Portland Trail Blazers rookie guard Scoot Henderson sparkled early during his NBA debut on Friday night during his team’s Summer League game against the Houston Rockets. He poured in 15 points, dished out six assists, and even grabbed five rebounds.

The only problem was he got injured and had to leave the game late in the third quarter with a right shoulder issue, according to the ESPN TV broadcast. Henderson is expected to be one of the most electrifying players in the NBA, so the Trail Blazers will anxiously await his return to the floor.

For more on Henderson and why he was one of the most gifted athletes in the 2023 NBA Draft Class, check out this excellent article from On3’s Matt Connolly.

The Portland Trail Blazers selected him No. 3 overall

The 19-year-old averaged 16.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game for G League Ignite in 2022-23, while shooting 43 percent from the field. He also spent the 2021-22 season in the G League.

Scoot Henderson was ranked as a five-star recruit and the No. 12 overall player in the country for the class of 2021, according to the On3 Industry rankings. The Georgia native had offers from several of the top college basketball programs in the country. However, he opted to begin his professional basketball career immediately after high school, instead.

Henderson was originally a member of the 2022 recruiting class but reclassified for 2021. He signed a two-year deal with the G League and is now taking his talents to the NBA.

Henderson attended Carlton J. Kell High School in Marietta, Georgia. He averaged 32 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists per game as a junior, before graduating early and beginning his professional basketball career.

What NBA Draft experts are saying about Scoot Henderson

It’s safe to say experts see a lot of potential in Scoot Henderson and believe he has a chance to be special at the next level.

“Henderson is a hyper-athletic, traditionally-sized point guard with excellent feel for the game. He thrives with a head of steam in both transition and the half court, searching to attack the rim,” according to NBA.com. “When he gets defenders on their heels, he can pull up from the mid-range with a jumper or runner. His vision in the pick-and-roll keeps all of his teammates involved and helps them get easy looks. Defensively, Henderson has the athleticism to launch himself into passing lanes or rise up for help-side blocks.”

“There is star potential with Henderson, who understandably noted that one of his favorite players is Russell Westbrook – their games being similar, though Henderson may have more patience in the half court. At 6-foot-2 with great playmaking ability, he’s definitely a point guard, so the team selecting him very early in the draft should have ideas to give him the keys to the offense as a rookie.”

On3’s Matt Connolly also contributed to this article.