Jazz rookie Taylor Hendricks pulled up to watch UCF host Cincinnati
Former UCF forward Taylor Hendricks returned to campus on Saturday to watch the Knights host the Cincinnati Bearcats at Addition Financial Arena in Orlando.
Hendricks played last season with the Knights, averaging 15.1 points, 7 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 1.4 assists on 39.4% shooting from 3-point range. He was named to the All-AAC second team and was one of three players in the country with at least 60 3-pointers and 55 blocks.
He wasn’t treated to a win by the home team, though, as Cincinnati won 76-74. The Knights trailed by as many as 14 points in the second half, but eventually tied it up in the final two minutes of play. They weren’t able to jump ahead and dropped to 13-11 on the season.
Hendricks is averaging 4.6 points and 2.9 rebounds in 17 games with the Utah Jazz. He has spent the majority of the season in the G League, averaging 14.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.3 assists in 22 appearances with the Salt Lake City Stars.
The ninth pick was highly touted as a player who can affect games on both ends of the court. The organization was impressed with his size, at 6 feet, 9 inches, and his ability to shoot and defend at a high level with his 7-foot wingspan.
After making several moves at the trade deadline, the Jazz will integrate Hendricks more into the rotation over the remainder of the season. They will watch him and monitor how he handles himself on and off the court and if he is ready to contribute nightly in the NBA.
