Scoot Henderson Bio
Sterling “Scoot” Henderson is an American professional basketball player for the Portland Trail Blazers in the National Basketball Association. Born in 2004, he rose to national attention as a five-star recruit from Marietta, Georgia, and was selected third overall in the 2023 NBA draft. A point guard, Henderson is widely regarded as one of the top young guards in the league.
At seventeen, Henderson became the youngest player ever to sign with the NBA G League Ignite, a developmental program designed to prepare elite prospects for the pros. After two seasons with the Ignite, he transitioned to the NBA, where he continues to develop his game as a core member of the Portland roster.
Early Life and Background
Henderson was born on February 3, 2004, in Marietta, Georgia, to Chris and Crystal Henderson. His father is a coach and trainer, and his mother works as a healthcare administrator. The family operates Next Play 360°, a training facility in Marietta, where Henderson sharpened his basketball skills from an early age. The Hendersons had moved to Georgia from Hempstead, New York, shortly before his birth.
He is the second youngest of seven siblings, with three of his sisters going on to play NCAA Division I basketball. As a baby, he earned the nickname “Scoot” or “Scoota” because of the way he scooted across the floor, and the name stayed with him throughout his life.
Path to Basketball
Henderson played at Carlton J. Kell High School, where he quickly became a standout. During his sophomore season in February 2020, he scored a then career-high 49 points and hit the game-winning shot in a 92–91 overtime win over Miller Grove High School in the Class 5A state tournament. He led the team to the semifinals and was named Class 5A Player of the Year by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
As a junior, Henderson elevated his game further, scoring 53 points in a January 2021 win over Osborne High School and breaking the program’s single-game and career scoring records. He led Kell to the Class 6A state title game, averaging 32 points, seven rebounds, and six assists per game. A consensus five-star recruit, Henderson was ranked as the second-best point guard in the 2021 class by 247Sports.
On May 21, 2021, he announced that he would reclassify and join the NBA G League Ignite, bypassing his senior season and declining offers from several NCAA Division I programs.
Scoot Henderson Career
NBA G League Ignite (2021–2023)
Henderson signed a two-year contract with the NBA G League Ignite on May 21, 2021, becoming the youngest player in G League history. He made his debut on November 17, 2021, recording eight points and six rebounds in a 115–103 win over the South Bay Lakers. In his second game, he posted a then career-high 31 points, six rebounds, and five assists against the Santa Cruz Warriors.
During the 2022–23 season, Henderson continued to grow, posting a career-high 16 assists in a November 2022 win over Santa Cruz and a season-high 27 points against the Oklahoma City Blue. In February 2023, he was named captain of Team Scoot in the inaugural G League Next Up Game. He finished the season averaging 17.6 points, 6.4 assists, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game across 25 appearances.
Portland Trail Blazers (2023–Present)
The Portland Trail Blazers selected Henderson with the third overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft. He made his NBA regular-season debut on October 25, 2023, finishing with 11 points and four assists in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. Later that season, he set career highs of 33 points and 10 assists.
During the 2024–25 season, Henderson made 66 appearances with 10 starts, averaging 12.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game. On January 14, 2025, he scored a career-high 39 points with six assists in a loss to the Brooklyn Nets.
Notable Events and Milestones
Henderson debuted his first signature Puma shoe on NBA opening night, becoming the seventh player in league history to wear a signature shoe in their debut game. In January 2023, his jersey was retired at Carlton J. Kell High School alongside his sister Crystal’s, the two being the program’s all-time leading scorers. On March 29, 2024, he recorded the worst plus-minus in NBA history at minus-58 in a loss to the Miami Heat.
Scoot Henderson Career Wins
As a young guard still in the early stages of his NBA career, Henderson has not yet recorded a postseason appearance. His win totals to date are anchored in his G League tenure and his developing role with the Trail Blazers.
NBA G League Highlights
During the 2021–22 season with the Ignite, Henderson played 11 games in the G League Showcase Cup and 10 exhibition games, averaging 14.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists. He was selected for the Rising Stars Challenge at NBA All-Star Weekend in both 2022 and 2023, and captained Team Scoot in the inaugural G League Next Up Game in February 2023.
Scoot Henderson Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Henderson was raised in a tight-knit, basketball-focused family in Marietta, Georgia. With three of his sisters playing NCAA Division I basketball, he grew up surrounded by high-level competition. His parents, Chris and Crystal Henderson, run Next Play 360°, a training facility that helped shape his early development as a player.
Personal Life
Henderson continues to reside in Marietta, Georgia, and remains closely connected to his family. He has pursued entrepreneurial interests off the court, including trademarking his name and his personal motto, “Overly Determined to Dominate,” and launching boys’ and girls’ Amateur Athletic Union programs in 2022. He also starred in the 2023 film Shooting Stars, portraying Romeo Travis.
2025 Season Outlook
Henderson entered the 2025 offseason looking to build on the progress of his 2024–25 campaign, in which he set a new career high of 39 points and showed growth as a playmaker. The Trail Blazers had hoped to see further development in his consistency, shooting efficiency, and decision-making as he moved deeper into his role as a starting-caliber guard.
On September 26, 2025, however, Henderson was ruled out for at least one to two months after suffering a left hamstring tear during a workout, putting his early-season availability in question. The injury forced him to begin the year on the sidelines and required a careful rehabilitation plan before returning to full activity.
Once healthy, Henderson is expected to resume his role as a focal point of Portland’s young core, with the organization banking on his playmaking, defensive energy, and scoring upside. His progression remains a central storyline for the Trail Blazers’ long-term rebuild.