The NBA is on the brink of witnessing another era of the greatest of all-time candidate debate, involving the 2023 NBA Draft prospects Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson, and the 2022 NBA Draft selection Chet Holmgren. These young players are set to make their NBA debuts this season. However, when their teams met recently, Wembanyama and Holmgren had a preseason matchup.
Analyst Stephen A. Smith, known for making bold claims on First Take, has recently revealed his pick for who he thinks might win the Rookie of the Year award at the end of the 2023 NBA season among the three most hyped debutants. His choice may surprise you.
Stephen A. Smith picks Scoot Henderson over Wembanyama and Chet
The controversial ESPN analyst, Stephen A. Smith has expressed his strong belief that Scoot Henderson, the talented point guard selected third overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2023 NBA Draft, will be the frontrunner for the Rookie of the Year award. Smith’s endorsement of Henderson’s potential comes in the face of competition from other highly-touted prospects like Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren.
Smith said, “That brother Scoot Henderson in Portland, third overall pick, he got sisters. And I met ’em. First of all, they can ball. And secondly, they get in his face and they will get in his face long before anybody else will. When you got relatives that’s in your face and you know they have an impact on you, they affect your motor… I’m looking at Scoot Henderson to win Rookie of the Year.”
“Henderson’s boosted impressive stats last season in the G-League, scoring an average of 16.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and an assist of 6.8 per match. He will look to better his last season’s stats as he makes his NBA debut when the 2023 NBA season kicks start.”
Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren face-to-face at NBA preseason game
In a highly-anticipated NBA preseason matchup, the San Antonio Spurs’ top pick and 2023 first overall selection, Victor Wembanyama, squared off against the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Chet Holmgren, the second overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. Both young prospects made their presence felt on the court. Wembanyama, a 7’3″ French forward, showcased his skills by scoring an impressive 20 points in just 19 minutes. He also contributed five rebounds and two steals, exhibiting his versatility. Wembanyama’s performance included an 8-13 shooting display, demonstrating his scoring ability both inside and beyond the arc.
On the other side, Chet Holmgren, who missed his entire rookie season due to a Lisfranc injury made a strong comeback. He recorded 21 points and nine rebounds in just 16 minutes of play, making an immediate impact. Holmgren was particularly efficient, connecting on seven of his ten field goals and sinking both of his three-point attempts.
While the Oklahoma City Thunder emerged victorious with a final score of 122-121, the game’s highlight was the compelling duel between Wembanyama and Holmgren. The intensity of their on-court rivalry was evident, with Wembanyama’s powerful and-1 move early in the game serving as a memorable moment. Fans eagerly await more showdowns between these two emerging stars when the season starts.
