The NBA season hasn’t even started yet but people are already talking about who is going to win the next Rookie of the Year.
Most people agree that Victor Wembanyama might have the best chance of claiming that prize but the competition will undoubtedly be tough.
While most people are focused on the Spurs star, Stephen A. Smith has his eye on a particular newcomer in the Pacific Northwest.
“I’m not going to lie to you, I think it’s going to be Scoot Henderson in Portland. The brother got an NBA body, he’s in attack mode, he’s aggressive,” Smith said on Tuesday’s First Take.
Smith said that Henderson’s familiar background as well as his position within the Blazers will set him up to pick up the coveted prize.
.@stephenasmith is taking Scoot Henderson as the NBA's ROY over Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren 👀 pic.twitter.com/REU9nN3uM7
— First Take (@FirstTake) October 10, 2023
Henderson was the third overall pick in the draft but Smith thinks he will end up being the best young star of the new season.
Smith apparently spent some time with Henderson and his siblings and he claims they will push him to play hard.
But he also said that Henderson being handed the keys to the kingdom in Portland could turn him into even more of a star.
A few months ago, the Blazers were Damian Lillard’s team.
Now Lillard is gone and while there are several great players who remain on the roster, there is a path for Henderson to slide into the leadership role and take over.
If he does that, he could really set himself up for Rookie of the Year.
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