After Getting Humbled by Kevin Durant, 19YO Blazers Rookie Scoot Henderson Flexes His Mentality: ?Ain?t Gonna Be Starstruck?

Playing on the court with superstars like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry is the thing of dreams for rookies entering the NBA. It’s a bizarre moment that can leave many people star-struck and inspired. But not for Scoot Henderson, the rookie sensation for the Portland Trail Blazers. Henderson feels he belongs in the league.

And with?his recent experience of?playing on?the court with none other than Kevin Durant during a preseason game against the Phoenix Suns, demonstrated?his unwavering confidence.

19-year-old rookie shows off his unflinching confidence

Despite leading the game in scoring with an amazing 22 points, Henderson remained calm and unaffected by the presence of Kevin Durant. This display of maturity at the age of 19 years is unbelievable. And when asked whether he was star-struck playing against Kevin Durant, Henderson confidently said, “Nah. I ain’t starstruck. I ain’t gonna be starstruck, either.”

In professional basketball, mental game is sometimes an underappreciated factor, particularly for rookies. Henderson’s progression from competing against collegiate-level talent to facing the NBA’s prominent figures is massive. To complicate matters further, Henderson grew up idolizing Russell Westbrook, Durant’s teammate for 8 years. As a result, Henderson spent a considerable chunk of his early years attentively monitoring Kevin Durant’s on-court prowess. While it’s easy to get caught up in the wonder of playing against his idols, Henderson’s ambition to make a genuine difference in the league keeps him grounded.

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For the 19-year-old guard, the journey from being a youngster who watched the NBA from afar to becoming a player who fans all around the world are watching is a dream come true. Few can truly appreciate the shift. It represents the incredible development of a young athlete who has remained steadfast in his pursuit of greatness. Scoot Henderson holds the weight of expectations and the duty of leading the Portland Trail Blazers to new heights as the team’s future.

Scoot Henderson’s performance with the Trail Blazers

Henderson, despite being only 19 years old, has?exceptional composure and control on the court, particularly in his effective utilization of ball screens.?He?recorded an outstanding stat line of 20 points, 14 assists, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks in this game. His agility and ability to shift speeds drew attention, making him a valuable addition to any team. Henderson’s ability to utilize ball screens foreshadows his offensive potential in the NBA, despite the fact that he has yet to play with a genuine pick-and-roll partner.

His mid-range pull-up game provided an unexpected highlight, which, if consistent, can pose a problem to NBA defenders. While his finishing near the rim was subpar in this game, it is an area in which he can improve. Henderson’s lengthy wingspan and strength helped him to disrupt plays on defense, resulting in three blocks and multiple deflections. His strong defensive technique, on the other hand, occasionally produced fouls. He occasionally strayed too far from his defensive duty. While there is room for development, Henderson’s talent is evident, making him a player to keep an eye on this upcoming NBA season.

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