ORLANDO, FLA- As initially reported by ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, University of Central Florida (UCF) Power Forward Taylor Hendricks has officially declared for the 2023 NBA draft. As a current freshman at UCF, Hendricks will forgo his remaining college eligibility, and will prepare to begin the pre-draft process, beginning on May 15th at the NBA draft combine in Chicago, Illinois.
“I want to thank my mom and brothers Tyler and Jamal,” Hendricks said. “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.”
Amid collegiate offers from the University of Florida, Florida State, Miami (FL), and LSU, Hendricks decided to commit to UCF on March 20th, 2021. As it turned out, Hendricks was excellent in his lone season at UCF. In 34 starts with the Knights, Hendricks averaged 34.7 MPG, 15.1 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 1.4 APG, and 1.7 BPG while shooting 47.8% from the field, 39.4% from three-point range, and 78.2% from the free-throw line.
In reference to his impressive statline, Hendricks’ per-game averages of points, rebounds, and blocks led all freshmen in the ACC conference this season. Hendricks even earned the ACC’s rookie of the week honors nine different times, also a conference-best mark. Just one year after being ranked outside of the top-50 of his high school recruiting class at Calvary Christian Academy, Hendricks took his game to new heights in Orlando.
“A big part of that was choosing the right school,” Hendricks said regarding his collegiate commitment to UCF. “A place that would let me grow and give me the opportunity to show my skills and develop.” The coaching staff made a big effort to build a good relationship with my entire family. They told how I would fit and exactly what my role would be. I wanted to go somewhere I’d play my first year and they offered me that opportunity.”
Behind the impressive two-way play of Hendricks, UCF finished the 2022-2023 season with a 19-15 record and 7th in the American Athletic Conference (ACC) standings, their best record since the 2018-2019 season (24-9, 3rd AAC). During the 2022-2023 regular season, Hendricks notched four double-doubles, highlighted by a 15-point, 11-rebound, four-assist, and three-block performance in UCF’s 69-77 loss to Tulane on January 14th.
Even though UCF didn’t qualify for the 2023 NCAA Tournament, Hendricks and the Golden Knights were invited to the 2023 National Invitational Tournament (NIT). Shortly after accepting the invitation to the NIT, UCF was matched up to play the No. 4 Florida Gators in the first round. Behind Hendrick’s team-high 17 points, eight rebounds, two steals, and two blocks, the Golden Knights cruised past the Gators 67-49 to advance to the second round. In the second round, Hendricks struggled in UCF’s 54-68 loss to Oregon, who posted nine points and nine rebounds on just 3-10 (30.0%) shooting from the field in 36 minutes.
Standing at 6’9″ and 210 pounds, Hendricks is an extremely versatile forward capable of making positive plays on both ends of the court. On offense, Hendricks is able to score at all three levels of the court, due to his fluid shooting stroke and physical play in the paint. Meanwhile, Hendricks’ physical frame makes him a great rebounder and defender, as shown by his 2022-2023 season totals of 157 defensive rebounds and 59 blocks, both team highs.
“It really came down just trying to win,” Hendricks said. “Trying to do everything in my skill set to compete every time I stepped on the court, and not going outside of what coach asked me to do. Just playing my role.”
I will be declaring for the 2023 NBA Draft❤️‼️ pic.twitter.com/YcF9lADoOo
— Taylor Hendricks (@tayxhendricks) March 22, 2023