Taylor Hendricks Scouting Report: NBA Comparisons, Draft Rankings, Highlights, Stats
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Few NBA scouts and organizations could have predicted Taylor Hendricks’ meteoric rise to the top half of the first round, yet here we are with just a few days before the NBA Draft. Hendricks was ranked outside the top 50 players in the nation, which usually does not translate to being a one-and-done prospect, but he really excelled during his freshman season at UCF. Hendricks’ combination of size, athleticism, and skill has propelled him to be a lock for the lottery. See his height, wingspan, and weight, as well as strengths and weaknesses, below! Other scouting reports can quickly be found on the Lineups 2023 Big Board or Final Mock Draft as well.
Taylor Hendricks Scouting Report
Hendricks had a fabulous freshman season with a strong shooting split, and his measurements at the combine proved to further his draft stock. He stands just shy of 6-foot-10 in shoes with a roughly 7-foot-1 wingspan, which should help him play the four or the five in the NBA.
Age: 19
Height: 6’9.5”
Weight: 214 lbs
Wingspan: 7’0.5”
Position: Power Forward
College/ Professional Team: UCF
Strengths: Much like Ausar Thompson and Anthony Black, Hendricks’ most translatable skill, and the one that will get him on an NBA floor the quickest, is his defense. Hendricks has immense upside on the defensive end of the floor, with an ability to protect the rim by blocking shots, but also possessing the capability of switching on any opposing player, if needed. Additionally, Hendricks has proven, with a large sample size, to be a strong shooter from behind the arc: another highly coveted NBA skill, especially for frontcourt players. Don’t expect too much shot creation in the beginning, but Hendrick projects as a late bloomer who is nowhere near realizing his ceiling as a player.
Weaknesses: For a player as athletic as Hendricks, he can struggle to finish around the basket; it is almost as if he needs multiple steps for a lift-off. Hendricks’ struggle around the rim, especially when he is in the paint, is an area of concern that could be significant. Additionally, while his perimeter game has some upside, he still is not crafty enough as a ball-handler to believe that much isolation scoring will be in his near future.
Taylor Hendricks Stats
| PPG | RPG | APG | FG % | 3P% | FT% | TO | STL | BLK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15.1 | 7 | 1.4 | 47.8 | 39.4 | 78.2 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 1.7 |
Taylor Hendricks NBA Comparison: John Collins/Jerami Grant blend
Hendricks is the kind of prospect that is a bit harder to find a comp for, but one of the easiest to go to is John Collins. Collins and Hendricks have fantastic athleticism and can extend their game beyond the three-point line as catch-and-shoot players. However, Hendricks also has shown a bit of promise as an off-the-dribble threat and still has not found out exactly what he is capable of offensively, giving him the potential to be a late bloomer like Jerami Grant.
Taylor Hendricks Highlights
Hendricks’ raw talent and athleticism shine through in this highlight reel below. Take a look at his impressive shooting form, despite being relatively new to expanding his game from deep, as well as his defensive prowess, particularly around the rim!
Taylor Hendricks NBA Draft Ranking, Team Fit, Landing Spot
Draft Ranking: 10
Team Fit: Oklahoma City
If there were a “perfect team fit” for Taylor Hendricks, it would have to be in Oklahoma City. The Thunder are not a good shooting team from deep, giving Hendricks an advantage from the jump to see some floor time. Additionally, OKC is not afraid to let its young talent garner the necessary experience; it is an ideal spot for a player with as much raw talent and athleticism as Hendricks. Further, it is evident that the Thunder need more frontcourt talent, as any combination of Jaylin Williams, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Ousmane Dieng, Chet Holmgren, and Aleksej Pokusevski will not cut it long-term for a team looking to eventually contend for a title.
Landing Spot: Oklahoma City/Dallas/Indiana
If the Pacers were to pass on Jarace Walker, believing that Hendricks has a higher ceiling than him, he could go off the board as early as seventh in the 2023 Draft. Additionally, Dallas is another team that could grab Hendricks if it believes he can contribute quickly as a talented frontcourt player and shooter, adding depth to an otherwise weak position. However, if neither of those two teams pulls the trigger on Hendricks, he could end up in Oklahoma City, which would be ideal for him and could allow him the time needed to develop, as he is likely not a high-impact player from Day One.
