INDIANAPOLIS — "My mindset is to come out and hoop and just be myself."
That was Portland Trail Blazers rookie Scoot Henderson, hours before the NBA's Rising Stars Challenge. He came out, hooped and scored 10 points in a 40-35 loss to open the evening's four-team mini tournament. It was a microcosm of what has been a quiet rookie campaign for Henderson, again overshadowed by peers.
In a sea of Tyrese Haliburton shirts on the streets of snowy Indianapolis were a few jerseys bearing Victor Wembanyama's No. 1 — to match his selection in the 2023 NBA Draft.