NBA Draft: Former NBA Scout Evaluates Taylor Hendricks

An evaluation of UCF forward Taylor Hendricks from the viewpoint of a former NBA scout.

After evaluating 2023 NBA Draft prospect Taylor Hendricks of Central Florida, Doc Martin shared his evaluation and scouting report with Draft Digest Pro.

School: Central Florida | Position: Power Forward | Class: Freshman 

Height: 6-9 | Weight: 215 

Role: Stretch Four/Switchable Defender

Comparison: Amir Johnson/Bobby Portis 

Draft Projection: Lottery Pick

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Strengths:

• Outside shooting from mid-range and three-point range
• Decision-making with basketball
• High motor
• Toughness; despite a lack of physical strength
• Defensive switchability

Concerns:

• Physical strength for his position

Questions:

• Can he withstand physical play?
• Can he continue to develop his offensive skill set, or will he be one-dimensional long-term?

Bottom Line:

Taylor Hendricks is versatile with good size and has a chance to develop into an effective stretch four at the NBA level. Additionally, he can put it on the deck as a straight-line driver, and if given the lane, he can finish above the rim. Hendricks has shown flashes of being able to finish through contact, but that can become a more efficient part of his game as he adds more physical strength and functional weight to his frame. 

This past season at Central Florida, his team spread the floor offensively, allowing Hendricks to showcase his ability to provide floor spacing by utilizing his ability to shoot from outside, which creates driving lanes for his teammates. Although Hendricks does not have much of an inside game, he tends to depend on a quick right-hand jump hook if he's unable to finish at the rim. The forward does the bulk of his damage from the perimeter as a pick-and-pop stretch four. He shot an impressive 39.4% from three-point range this past season. 

Considering this was Hendricks' freshman season, he was outstanding on the defensive end. He was rarely in foul trouble and did an excellent job bodying up, making players score over him, and using his ability as a second jumper to be disruptive and make plays. He can guard on the perimeter but must be locked in to defend NBA-level wings. He is far from a finished product, but he has a solid foundation and seems more prepared than most freshmen stepping into the NBA. Hendricks' size, athleticism, unselfish play, and willingness to defend make him a prospect many coaches would love to have.