NBA draft prospect Scoot Henderson has carved his own path leading to the best basketball league in the world.
And his effort paid off with the Georgia native becoming the youngest US pro hoops player ever when he signed with the G League Ignite in 2021.
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Scoot Henderson became the youngest pro player in US basketball history when he signed with the G League Ignite at the age of 17Credit: Getty
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Henderson is tipped to be selected with one of the top-3 picks in the 2023 NBA DraftCredit: Getty
For years, the NBA’s infamous one-and-done rule forced most US basketball prospects to wait an entire year after high school graduation before they could turn pro.
Or, they could move abroad, typically across the pond, to hone their skills in one of the European leagues, and possibly the EuroLeague.
Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball took that unorthodox route in 2018, moving to Lithuania at the age of 16 where he played for Prienai, a Lithuanian basketball team, together with his brother LiAngelo.
But high school seniors now have a couple more options to choose from that can allow them to play pro-level basketball on US soil — and earn significant money.
In 2020, the NBA launched the G League Ignite program, a developmental hoops team playing against affiliates of NBA franchises in the G League.
A year later, businessmen Dan Porter and Zachary Weiner established Overtime Elite, a pro basketball league for 16-20-year-olds.
Both programs allow teenage hoopers to get years of pro experience before they declare for the NBA draft.
Henderson decided to sign with the Ignite in 2021, penning a two-year, $1million deal at the age of 17.
The growing prestige of the Ignite project and the six-to-seven-figure salary it offers are perhaps the reason why Scoot and not Ball — who earned close to nothing in Lithuania — is considered the youngest pro in US basketball history.
The explosive point guard joined the G League team as he didn’t see himself going through the college grind, per The Ringer.
Henderson also thought the Ignite would provide him with the best environment for growth — and it did.
“I’ve learned more [in the G League] than I’ve learned in the whatever-many years I’ve played basketball,” he said last year.
Scoot averaged 17.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 1.2 steals over 25 games for the Ignite in 2022-23.
He also dazzled in the two-part showcase matchup with Victor Wembanyama and his Metropolitans 92 last year, before an injury held him back.
Henderson would have a huge shot at No. 1 in the 2023 NBA Draft if he didn’t end up in the same class as Wembanyama, widely considered to be a generational talent.
But he still has a good chance of going second overall, similar to fellow Ignite alum Jalen Green two years ago.
His future will get a little clearer on Tuesday night when the NBA Draft Lottery takes place.
The Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, and San Antonio Spurs have the highest odds to draw one of the top three picks, one of which will almost certainly be used to select Henderson in late June.
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