Scoot Henderson claims that he should be drafted No.1 over Victor Wembanyama

Scoot Henderson has wildly claimed that he should be drafted No. 1 over Frenchman Victor Wembanayama, perceived as a generational talent, ahead of this year’s NBA Draft on June 22.

The G League Ignite top prospect is considered to be a top three pick on draft night in two months, at the very least, and is certainly worth being excited over, though he also seems pretty confident that he’ll come out as the best young player entering the league this summer. 

When asked about draft experts selecting him as the No. 2 or No. 3 pick behind the seven-foot-two Wembanyama, nicknamed ‘Wemby’, and Alabama’s Brandon Miller,  Henderson had a straightforward response. 

‘Yeah, I think I should go one,’ he told GQ. ‘I know I’m gonna be one.’ 

Henderson was then asked if it was his ultimate objective to be selected as the No. 1 pick or if it didn’t really matter, considering the hype around Wembanyama over the last year or so. 

Wembanyama, of the Metropolitans 92 (left) and Henderson, of the G-League Ignite in October

Wembanyama blocks a shot by Henderson in the fourth quarter of the G-League Ignite’s win over France’s Metropolitans 92 on October 4. Henderson had 28 points in that game

‘Yes. Of course, ‘ he added. ‘Who doesn’t want to go one?’ 

Wembanyama — who’s relatively quiet off-court rarely engaging even in postgame interviews despite worldwide interest in his every move — knows he’s capture the league’s attention long ago. 

LeBron James respectfully called him an ‘alien’ last fall, Kevin Durant raves about Wembanyama’s game, Giannis Antetokounmpo marveled at the forward’s talent and French center Rudy Gobert said he knew at least three years ago that the teen would be an enormous star.

Henderson, however, is unfazed of going up against his 19-year-old counterpart to prove himself as possibly the steal of the century, if all goes according to his wish of being drafted No. 1, and he proves himself in the league next season. 

He can dribble past defenders with ease, either in transition or with the opposition’s defense already settled in a half-court setting. The Georgia native can also create his own shot in true point-guard fashion, similarly to Chris Paul, and can facilitate for his teammates to get on the scoreboard. 

Henderson is undoubtedly a player that any franchise should build around. The only problem is that almost every prospect – past, current, or future – in the history of the NBA would likely be selected after Wembanyama in a draft. 

LeBron James greets Wembanyama with a handshake during a preseason Timberwolves game

Wembanyama and Henderson shake hands after their first game against each other in Nevada on October 4. Both combined for 65 points in that game, with Wemby registering 36 points

Henderson and Wembanyama, two basketball prodigies, faced each other last year on October 4th in a G League game where they scored a combined 65 points. 

The game played at The Dollar Loan Center in Henderson, Nevada, was shown live on ESPN, with between 120 and 150 NBA scouts in attendance. 

Henderson’s G League Ignite beat Wembanyama’s Metropolitans 122-115. The former recorded 28 points, five rebounds, nine assists and two steals in 28 minutes, while the latter had had 37 points, four rebounds, one steal and five blocks in 37 minutes.

Both players were expected to face off in a rematch, two days later, but Henderson went off injured early on in that game. ‘Wemby’ ended with 36 points, 11 rebounds and four assists in the 112-106 win for the Metropolitans.