Why new favorite for Hornets’ top draft pick is nicknamed ‘Scoot’ Henderson
Sterling “Scoot” Henderson has climbed ahead of Brandon Miller as the new favorite to be selected with the Charlotte Hornets’ second overall pick in Thursday’s NBA Draft with at least one major sportsbook.
Henderson, a G League standout, is now at the top of the list to be the player selected with the second overall pick by FanDuel Sportsbook. Miller, a former University of Alabama swingman, was previously viewed as the top target for the Hornets’ selection.
FanDuel now has Henderson as -420, while Miller is +240. The third-highest option, Overtime Elite’s Amen Thompson, is listed at +12,000.
Henderson has been labeled by some notable NBA analysts as the next best player to presumed first overall pick, French center Victor Wembanyama. The San Antonio Spurs are expected to land Wembanyama after winning the draft lottery earlier this offseason.
Henderson, who is nicknamed “Scoot,” received the moniker when he was a toddler. According to Sports Illustrated, Henderson’s siblings said that the point guard received his nickname because he scooted on the floor as a child. SI quoted his mother, Crystal, as saying the moniker was “just a nickname.”
Henderson joined the G League straight out of high school, bypassing the college game in 2021. Last season, Henderson averaged 16.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game for Ignite.
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound point guard would presumably be used in tandem with fellow guard, LaMelo Ball, if selected by Charlotte at No. 2.
The NBA Draft will begin at 8 p.m. Thursday on ABC and ESPN.
This story was originally published June 22, 2023 at 2:45 PM.
