2023 NBA Draft: Evaluating UCF’s Taylor Hendricks

Taylor Hendricks coming into the college season was considered a multiyear college player and not many people knew about him coming into the year. He just happens to be a diamond in the rough as he’s now considered a lottery level talent heading into May. Let's dive into what makes the UCF forward a potential top 10 talent.

Defensive Versatility

Hendricks is an elite rim protector that possesses great timing, defensive instincts, and vertical pop. He’s the best shot-blocking power forward in the draft. The lengthy forward has a 7-foot-2 wingspan and combine that with his high vertical pop and quickness getting off the ground, it makes him such a versatile paint defender.

Don’t get it twisted though, he’s much more than just a rim protector. Hendricks is very good at defending in space. Hendricks is able to switch onto guards late into the shot clock and hold his own. His lateral quickness, mobility, and fluidity is so advanced for someone at his age and position. He’s one of the very few switchable bigs in the draft which NBA teams value a lot.

I really believe Taylor Hendricks is one of the top rim protectors in the draft.

The timing, awareness, vertical pop, and instincts all stands out on film. Has great length with a 7’2” wingspan and does a great job at defending without fouling.

At times he can be out of… pic.twitter.com/UF460U2XRH
— Global Scouting (@GlobalScouting_) April 27, 2023

Shooting Ability

Hendricks is a very good shooting big. Not only is he the best shot-blocking power forward prospect but he’s also the best shooting prospect amongst all power forwards in the draft. His shot mechanics are a little funky but it works for him and likely won’t need any tweaks to it when he makes the NBA. The two-way big man has the upside to get even better as a shooter. He has shown flashes as a movement and off the dribble shooter but he’s still inconsistent in those areas.

The movement shooting flashes are very encouraging and if he’s able to become more consistent here, it’ll allow the UCF prospect to be one of the best shooting bigs in the entire NBA. The star freshman is a high level shooter off the catch. He makes a legitimate case as the best 3-and-D prospect in the entire draft due to his defensive versatility and shooting upside.

Looking at the prospects in the draft, Taylor Hendricks has a great case at being the best 3&D prospect in the draft this year.

The shot mechanics are a little funky but it definitely works. Great shooter off the catch and has shown flashes off the dribble. Shooting upside is… pic.twitter.com/WWBsHtKoBB
— Global Scouting (@GlobalScouting_) April 27, 2023

High Level Athleticism

Hendricks is an above the rim finisher with great vertical pop and explosiveness. He's one of the best dunkers in the entire draft and is at his best as a finisher when he's playing above the rim. The bouncy forward’s potential as a cutter and roller is very intriguing. He’s an effective off-ball scorer from all over the floor.

His above the rim finishing ability opens up a lot on the offensive end for his team and himself. He’ll be a lob threat at all time due to his high vertical pop, quickness getting off the ground, and wide catch radius. Hendricks will strive as a roll-man or in the dunker's spot whenever he’s in the NBA. Having a high level playmaker next to him will be very important as it’ll allow him to play to the best of his abilities.

Taylor Hendricks explosiveness, vertical pop, quickness getting off the ground, and wide catch radius makes him a big time lob threat. Can thrive as a roll-man or someone that sits in the dunkers spot. The upside he has as an off-ball scorer is pretty enticing. pic.twitter.com/JR3qYt7XuS
— Global Scouting (@GlobalScouting_) April 27, 2023

Biggest Area of Improvement

His poor handle and lack of creation skills limits his overall offensive upside. He has a high dribble and struggles to keep control of the ball in traffic. The lack of a handle limits him in the half-court when he’s trying to create his own offense. Hendricks struggles to create space from defenders when attacking off the dribble. His ball-handling issues are very concerning but his struggles finishing on layup attempts are arguably just as concerning.

He needs to get stronger to improve his ability to finish through contact. He struggles to convert on layups as he shot 44.7% on all layup attempts which ranks him in the 16th percentile. Hendricks' lack of touch and reluctance to finish with his left-hand inside the paint is very concerning. At the end of the day, the floor is pretty high for Hendricks as he has a clear role as a 3-and-D forward but if he ever wants to expand past that role, he has to improve his creation skills.

Taylor Hendricks is an explosive dunker, but he struggles to finish through contact and the touch inside the paint is lacking.

He needs to continue adding strength to help him absorb contact while also becoming more comfortable using his left-hand to help add some versatility to… pic.twitter.com/mLiEmwTTi4
— Global Scouting (@GlobalScouting_) April 27, 2023

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