UCF Freshman Taylor Hendricks Declares for NBA Draft; Staying Home with Magic?
ORLANDO - The immensely talented 2023 NBA Draft class just gained another member.
According to ESPN, UCF freshman forward Taylor Hendricks will forgo his remaining eligibility to declare for the NBA Draft, where he's expected to be a high first-round pick.
"I want to thank my mom and brothers Tyler and Jamal," Hendricks told ESPN. "Also, UCF and Coach Johnny Dawkins for pushing me to develop my game and help get me where I am now. Also, I want to thank the lord for ordering my steps through this whole journey."
Hendricks, UCF's highest-rated recruit in program history, averaged 15.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game this season. He also shot 39 percent from beyond the three-point line.
Hendricks is ranked 12th in ESPN's draft projections, which could be right around where the Orlando Magic is on the clock with its second pick.
The Magic acquired the Chicago Bulls' first-round pick this year back in 2021 when the team dealt Nikola Vucevic to the Windy City.
As a 6-9 forward, Hendricks is the ideal NBA size for a wing and fits right into the build of players like Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero, both of whom were Orlando's first-round picks in each of the past two years.
Drafting Hendricks may mean there is a challenge for him to crack the starting lineup with Wagner and Banchero there, but he could be a three-and-D wing archetype off the bench that could turn the hometown Magic from a good to great team.
You can follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.
Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Magic? Click Here.
Follow The Magic Insider on Facebook.
Follow The Magic Insider on Twitter.
Want even more Orlando Magic news? Check out the SI.com team page here.
