Projected lottery pick Taylor Hendricks credits UCF for growth, development
Taylor Hendricks had a monumental rise up draft boards throughout his freshman season and the 19-year-old credits his coaching staff and teammates at UCF for making that possible.
Entering the season, Hendricks wasn’t on the national radar but quickly burst onto the scene. He started to appear on mock drafts after helping the Knights race off to a strong start, picking up non-conference wins over programs like Florida State, Oklahoma State and Ole Miss.
When it was all said and done, Hendricks earned all-conference second-team honors after averaging 15.1 points, 7 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 1.4 assists on 39.4% shooting from 3-point range. He was one of two players in the country with at least 60 3-pointers and 55 blocks.
The success, Hendricks said, didn’t come all on his own.
“I owe it all to my coaches at UCF,” Hendricks said on Wednesday after working out with the Indiana Pacers. “They put me in a lot of situations to be able to guard different types of positions and I feel like that has helped me, overall, with my development.”
The 6-foot-9 Hendricks has dazzled with his size and athleticism and has emerged as a real shot-blocking threat with his 7-foot wingspan and instincts. On the other side, he is a great lob threat. He also has great hands and has good vision out of the post to find his teammates.
Simply put: Hendricks would be a great addition to any organization.
The shooting may stand out, especially for his size, but Hendricks is working to show teams in the pre-draft process that he can impact games in a variety of ways.
“I feel like I fit into the modern NBA perfectly with my attitude, how I am on and off the court and just what I bring to the team,” Hendricks said. “I can do a lot more than shoot the ball. That’s what a lot of people are attracted to but I feel like I offer a lot of value in other areas on the court.”
📹 @UCF_MBB's Taylor Hendricks putting in work.@NerdWallet | #GoldOnTheClock pic.twitter.com/9gyymVJFgt
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) June 7, 2023
Hendricks is now considered a lottery pick and is projected to go in the 6-10 range on June 22. In addition to meeting with the Pacers, Hendricks has also worked out with Orlando and will visit Dallas, Oklahoma City and Utah ahead of the draft.
After a tremendous year in Central Florida, Hendricks is on the verge of becoming the first player in program history drafted in the first round and will forever be grateful to Johnny Dawkins & Co.
“I love all of those guys there,” Hendricks said. “Thinking about it makes me smile but just everything Coach has done for me. He has always been honest with me and always put me in a position to get better. I am really thankful for him.”
