Taylor Hendricks, F, UCF
Taylor Hendricks may not be a player that is a “headliner” in this NBA Draft class but he’s one that has continued to rise and rise up draft boards over the last couple of months. There’s now a good chance that Hendricks ends up being selected in the top 10. Coming off a productive freshman season at Central Florida in which he averaged 15 points, seven rebounds, and nearly two blocks per game on 48 percent shooting from the field and 40 percent shooting from 3-point range.
Hendricks is a great athlete that possesses the ability to be a difference-maker on both ends of the floor. There is a ton to like about his potential and he might be the most hit-or-miss prospect that is going to be taken in the top 10, mostly because he didn’t play against other top competition in college. But, at least in my opinion, I don’t think that’s a fair thing to hold against him.
If the Pacers want a big that has as high or perhaps an even higher ceiling than Myles Turner, Hendricks should be their target. He may need a couple of years to develop to his full potential but he’s an intriguing prospect that the Pacers should keep an eye on heading into the NBA Draft.