Taylor Hendricks (Central Florida, PF, Freshman) Overlooked because of: Scouts' unfamiliarity, limited creation
Undervalued because of: NBA tools, valued archetype
Taylor Hendricks is starting to generate NBA attention by checking a valued mix of boxes with his shot-making, defense and tools/athleticism.
He's the nation's
only player with at least 25 threes, 15 dunks and a block rate over 5.0 percent.
It's obviously important for the shooting to continue, though the early consistency remains promising, as he's at 41.0 percent from deep on 4.4 attempts per game while converting 79.1 percent of his free throws. Hendricks has done most of his damage spotting up, but a small sample size shows Hendricks is also comfortable off the dribble (6-of-14), slowing down before pulling up or using touch on runners (6-of-10).
He does remain limited in creation situations, but he's ultraefficient when converting in transition (99th percentile), and he's produced by mostly playing to his strengths, play-finishing fast-breaks, rolls, cuts and catch-and-shoot chances.
Early on, NBA coaches may find more use for his defensive tools and activity, given his 6'9", 210-pound frame, mobility, motor and ability to contest shots at the rim and away from it. Hendricks combines both fearlessness challenging finishes and impressive foot speed guarding in space.
Between his body type and shot, teams are beginning to see translatable three-and-D—and that's a floor projection for a freshman who turned 19 years old in November. Continuing to produce during conference play should help Hendricks secure a spot on team's first-round boards.
