Steph Curry offers support, resources to top NBA prospect Scoot Henderson

OAKLAND,Calif. (AP) — In an empty gym on a small campus deserted for springbreak, one of the NBA’s top future prospects receives shootingguidance from coaches on Stephen Curry’s training team.

ScootHenderson goes through some of the same drills as the Golden Statesuperstar himself — one-footed free throws, catch-and-shoots fromaround the perimeter, two dribbles between the legs then let it flyfrom the top of the 3-point arc.

On the otherend of the court in the Laney College arena is Henderson’s youngersister, Moochie, who has committed to play guard for GeorgiaState.

TheHendersons, teenagers and the youngest of seven children, arereceiving a one-of-a-kind opportunity partnering with Curry’scompany, SC30 Inc., to gain support and guidance as the familydevelops its brand — on and off the court.

“Just gettingthis early training and early knowledge from Steph mentoring me andthe people around him, it’s a blessing,” Scoot Henderson said. “Mejust turning 19, just getting that knowledge early, it’s reallycool.”

Curry ishelping Henderson build his business model and will offer hisresources to the rising star and his family as the point guardmakes the transition to the next level. He finished his high schoolcoursework more than 1 1/2 years early to play two seasons for theG League Ignite and has established himself as a projectedtop-three draft pick.

Curry’sinvolvement includes opening his network to connect Henderson withshooting coaches, the two-time MVP’s strength and conditioning teamand others leading up to the NBA draft next month.

They spentsome time getting to know each other in late March, when Scoot andMoochie went through a training session with Curry’s coaches for amorning at Laney College.

What appealsto Curry beyond Henderson’s talent, which makes him one of the mostathletic point guards in the 2023 class, is the commitment tocommunity he has demonstrated at home in Marietta, Georgia.

“They’vedeveloped a perspective on the blessings from the game ofbasketball and the doors that it’s opened and the platform thatyou’re given. The resources you have access to can all lead to asense of purpose outside of just putting the ball in the basket,”said Curry, whoseWarriorswere eliminated Friday by the Lakers in Game 6 of the WesternConference semifinals. “They’re obviously wise beyond theiryears on that front and understanding that you can do both.”

Henderson isgrateful he can lean on Curry, whose off-court work with childrenand aiding the less fortunate includes his Eat. Learn. Play.Foundation focused on fighting childhood hunger, supportingeducation and providing safe places for kids to be active.

Five yearsago, Henderson’s parents, Chris and Crystal, openedagym called Next Play 360near theirhome to offer an inclusive space with an emphasis on academics,athletics, leadership and community outreach.

Hendersonhimself has helped plan holiday gift and food drives — aiding 75families last year with the next goal being 360 families, then3,600 and eventually 36,000 — among other projects, and he hopes tokeep doing more.

TheHendersons partner with schools in Cobb County to identify those inneed.

“Helping mycommunity strive, that was always the vision,” Henderson said. “IfI was going up, my family was going up with me. That was the visionfor all my siblings.”

Moochie isalso benefiting from having access to Curry’s team of experts,acknowledging, “Being a 17-year-old coming out here and gettingthis experience is really important.”

TheHendersons realize how fortunate they are to be getting a headstart thanks to Curry’s resources.

“It’s almostunreal, actually, Steph Curry is probably my favorite player in theworld,” said Chris, who has coached Moochie’s teams teams foryears. “They benefit from it but I benefit, too. It’s a blessingfor my kids just to be a part of it.”

They gotconnected through some of Curry’s longtime colleagues who thoughtthe two might make great partners given their shared commitment tobalancing basketball and philanthropy.

“To be asupport system for that and how that’s going to evolve over time,that’s the exciting part and it reinvigorates another energy towhat we’re doing because you understand — I’m the old guy — thenext generation is about that life as well,” Curry said.