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Scoot Henderson & Victor Wembanyama: New Hoopers on the Scene

Scoot Henderson & Victor Wembanyama: New Hoopers on the Scene

Dec 6, 2022

If you’re looking for the hottest new players poised to snag some titles as they get scooped up in the NBA draft, remember the names Scoot Henderson and Victor Webanyama.

These two 2023 NBA prospects are garnering big accolades as they show off their on-court chops, and there’s plenty of media hype surrounding both, much like predecessors Luka Dončić and Jayson Tatum.

Here’s what you need to know about these two rising talents as we all keep our eyes on where they ultimately land … and whether they, too, will have signature lines of basketball sneakers in the not-so-distant future.

Oui to Victor Wembanyama

In the press, he’s been called the “singular greatest prospect in NBA history.” LeBron James referred to his stature as “alien” and his moves as “fluid” and “graceful.” And if he’s already got the attention of King James, you can be sure French player Victor Wembanyama is a force on and off the court. Clocking in at 7 feet, 3 inches, the power forward comes from a family of exceptionally tall athletes.

Not only was he the youngest player in the EuroCup at age 15, but in 2021, he signed a multiyear contract with ASVEL Basket and the EuroLeague before ending that contract in 2022 and moving over to French pro basketball team Metropolitans 92. Over the Thanksgiving holiday, Wembanyama led his team to their eighth straight win, putting them in first place in their league, with his third 30-point-plus game during the month of November.

Rumored to be the No. 1 draft pick for the 2023–2024 NBA season, we can’t wait to see with whom “Wemby” signs.

Victor Wembanyama

The Scuttle on Scoot Henderson

He’s not quite as statuesque as Wembanyama, but at 6-foot-2, the 18-year-old Georgia resident turned down offers to play college ball at Auburn and Georgia in favor of joining the NBA’s G League Ignite as point guard. The Nevada-based developmental bball team positions Sterling “Scoot” Henderson for the 2023–’24 draft, and we’re here for it.

In his first year with GLI, Henderson averaged 14.7 points, 4.6 assists, 1.7 steals and 4.8 rebounds per game. His mature agility, well-rounded plays and advanced decision-making skills belie his young age. While Metropolitan’s Wembanyama is widely considered the No. 1 draft pick, Henderson runs a close second.

Scoot Henderson

Scoot vs. Wemby: The Showdown

Earlier this fall, G League Ignite faced the Metropolitans in a much-talked-about Wembanyama-Henderson showdown. While GLI bested its opponent 122 to 115, Wemby made seven three-pointers and scored 37 points. Scoot Henderson, meanwhile, gave his team 28 points and helped lead them to victory. See both players in action:

Keep your eye on both these players. In the meantime, we’ll be waiting to see how long it takes for Nike, adidas, Under Armour or Jordan to approach these young NBA draft picks for a shoe collab.

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