Scoot Henderson

Henderson is an American guard who reached the NBA as a top-three pick in the 2023 draft after a pioneering route through the NBA G League Ignite. Born in Marietta, Georgia, he became the youngest player in G League history at age 17 and arrived in Portland with professional experience and elite athletic tools.

Born Sterling Henderson on February 3, 2004, in Marietta, Georgia, he is the son of Chris Henderson, a coach and trainer, and Crystal Henderson, a healthcare administrator. His parents run the training facility Next Play 360° in Marietta, where they moved from Hempstead, New York, shortly before his birth. He is the second youngest of seven siblings, including three sisters who played NCAA Division I basketball. He was nicknamed "Scoot" or "Scoota" because of how he would scoot across the floor as a baby.

Henderson played for Carlton J. Kell High School in Marietta, where he was a five-star recruit. He graduated early and signed with the NBA G League Ignite at age 17, becoming the youngest player in G League history. In his second season with the Ignite, he was selected as a captain of the G League Next Up Game, showcasing his leadership and development against professional competition.

The Portland Trail Blazers selected Henderson third overall in the 2023 NBA draft. He signed with Portland and made his NBA debut as a rookie, immediately entering the starting lineup and carrying significant offensive responsibilities for a rebuilding franchise.

Henderson functions as an explosive, downhill guard with elite speed, vertical athleticism, and playmaking vision. His G League tenure provided early professional structure and adult competition before his draft-eligible year. In the NBA, his development centers on three-point consistency, defensive discipline, decision-making in the half court, and harnessing his elite physical tools within structured offensive systems.