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Scoot Henderson makes a defiant but fair promise: 'I will win Rookie of the Year'

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson has high aspirations for himself before his first season in the NBA.

During a recent interview with Playmaker, the 19-year-old guard said that it is his goal to win the NBA’s Rookie of the Year. But he said that not only is it his goal but he also assured the interviewer that he will win the award.

That is a bold claim from the former G League Ignite standout, who was selected at No. 3 overall in the 2023 NBA Draft. He heard his name called after Victor Wemanayama, who is considered potentially the best prospect in the history of team sports, and Alabama’s Brandon Miller.

Henderson (+450) currently has the third-best odds to win the NBA’s Rookie of the Year. He trails Wembanyama (-130) as well as Oklahoma City Thunder big man Chet Holmgren (+350) at this point.

Holmgren, the No. 2 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, is eligible to win because he missed all of his first campaign with an injury.

Henderson could potentially have an easier path to win the NBA’s Rookie of the Year once the Trail Blazers actually agree to trade star Damian Lillard.

That would allow Henderson to take on a much bigger role in Portland’s offense rather than potentially coming off the bench behind Lillard.

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