Ranking the 5 best point guards in the 2023 NBA Draft

NBA Draft Point Guard #1: Scoot Henderson, G League Ignite

Who else did you think it would be? While the conversation about Scoot Henderson being the first overall pick seems to be over, the debate about him being the best point guard in this draft class is, too.

While smaller than some of his counterparts on this list, Henderson is built like a point guard and can withstand the physicality of the NBA. He has measured 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds, with a 6’9″ wingspan.

From a statistical perspective, Henderson dominated the G League last season. He averaged 16.5 points, 6.8 assists, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game.

As an athlete, Henderson is shifty and explosive, able to quickly blow by defenders with a single step. He knows how to find open teammates and has no issue making the right decisions when driving to the hole. His speed and pull-up mid-range jumper also make him a pick-and-roll menace.

There’s really only one issue with Henderson’s game. It’s an important one for him to reach his potential at the next level, though: his three-point shooting.

Henderson was atrocious from three last season, hitting a meager 27.5 percent of his threes. His athleticism and elite ball skills can obscure issues, such as defenses sagging off of him on the perimeter, but his ceiling will be capped if he can’t figure it out; he’s in no danger of becoming Ben Simmons, though.

Whether or not Henderson goes No. 2 or No. 3 is a matter of team preference. There will be a very active debate in the Charlotte Hornets front office regarding Henderson’s ability to play alongside LaMelo Ball; Charlotte holds the second pick.

But there’s no question where Scoot Henderson lands on the point guard pecking order in the 2023 NBA Draft: No. 1.