Pure product of Florida, Taylor Hendricks landed discreetly on the campus of the University of Central Florida last summer, to play his “freshman” season. Far from the spotlight in his age group (#84 in the high school class of 2022), he had actually declined offers from the big cars of the “Sunshine State” (Florida, Florida State and Miami) to play with the more modest Knights, based in Orlando.
Almost a year later, it’s hard to imagine him having any regrets. Central as a “freshman” in his team’s game, the 19-year-old 3/4 position has indeed very quickly established himself as one of the best first-year players in the country, and even as a very likely “lottery pick” June 22.
A hell of a rise in the projections which has the effect of a booster shot on the rankings, not always bearing the truth, particularly among high school students. In the right context at the right time, Taylor Hendricks calmly charted his course towards the NBA.
Profile
Job : Winger / strong winger
Size : 2m06
Weight : 95kg
Crew : University of Central Florida
Stats 2022/23: 15.1 points, 7 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.7 blocks
Strong points
– Shooting and defense. Qualities required in young wingers to make a hole in an NBA rotation, shooting and defense are the two big strengths of Taylor Hendricks, who clearly has a big potential for “3&D”. His shooting is particularly on point, with fluid mechanics without being aesthetically perfect (especially with regard to his support, which is sometimes a little whimsical), which fires quickly and high. Over his entire freshman season, he averaged 39.4% on nearly five outside shots per game, including a solid 40.9% on catch-and-shoot shots. Very reassuring for its projection among the pros. In defense, he impresses above all with his ability to protect the circle from his wing. His defensive rotation readings are indeed good, especially when he’s on the weak side and needs to come to the aid in the middle, and his long segments allow him to come to the rescue in the second line. He shot this season at 1.7 against per game, not to mention all the shots he disrupted by his simple vertical deterrence. On the man, his defense is also convincing. He lacks the physical power to absorb contacts, but the responsiveness of his support allows him to follow his vis-à-vis and challenge his shot, or to take him to help.
Weak points
– Physically frail. Axis of work rather than real weak point, the physical dimension is indeed the main site for Taylor Hendricks. Slender, he does not currently exceed 100 kilos, and will surely be pushed around during his first months in the Great League. Fortunately, his athletic qualities and his basketball IQ make up for it, but gaining muscle mass is nonetheless “urgent” to survive in the NBA, especially in the paint where he does not absorb contacts very well and is therefore not not the most comfortable of finishers.
– The creation of the shot. Very gifted in “catch-and-shoot”, Taylor Hendricks is currently not a reliable designer. Because its “handle” is still a bit rigid, but also because its “range” of support is limited and prevents it from having an alternative when its first option falls through. In other words, after three or four dribbles, the young winger can very quickly find himself in discomfort, especially if his defender sticks to him and tries to prick his leather… It is also because of this poorly developed dribble that Taylor Hendricks is not very comfortable finishing in the circle: because he simply does not get there often, in “drive” situations. To put things into perspective, we can see the glass half full and remember that his role in the NBA will not be to often put the ball on the ground anyway, but rather to punish with his shot. But seeing the glass half empty, we can also worry that he will find himself locked in a role at the end of the chain in attack, if his “handle” does not progress…
Comparison
A profile at P. J. Washington.
Prognosis
Between 8th and 12th placewhere all the teams involved can be tempted by its “3&D” potential.
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