Among the things that shined brightly Thursday during the NBA draft at Barclays Center in New York: Scoot Henderson’s bejeweled black jacket. The diamond ring on his right pinkie. The diamond chains draped around his neck.
The future of the Portland Trail Blazers.
Basketball in the Las Vegas Valley.
The Blazers used the No. 3 pick to select Henderson, a precocious leader and franchise point guard — and the first of six NBA draftees with connections to the valley. Henderson played the past two years for G League Ignite, who relocated last season to Henderson and developed No. 33 pick Leonard Miller (Minnesota Timberwolves), No. 44 pick Sidy Cissoko (San Antonio Spurs) and No. 47 pick Mojave King (Indiana Pacers).
Liberty graduate Julian Strawther was selected with the penultimate pick in the first round and will play for the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets.
Las Vegas native Maxwell Lewis was selected at No. 40 and will play for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Portland’s predicament
The future of the Portland Trail Blazers.
Basketball in the Las Vegas Valley.
The Blazers used the No. 3 pick to select Henderson, a precocious leader and franchise point guard — and the first of six NBA draftees with connections to the valley. Henderson played the past two years for G League Ignite, who relocated last season to Henderson and developed No. 33 pick Leonard Miller (Minnesota Timberwolves), No. 44 pick Sidy Cissoko (San Antonio Spurs) and No. 47 pick Mojave King (Indiana Pacers).
Liberty graduate Julian Strawther was selected with the penultimate pick in the first round and will play for the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets.
Las Vegas native Maxwell Lewis was selected at No. 40 and will play for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Portland’s predicament