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SALT LAKE CITY — Taylor Hendricks didn't expect it.
"One year ago, I wasn't even thinking about going to the NBA," Hendricks said after getting selected by the Utah Jazz with the ninth pick in the 2023 NBA draft. "I was thinking about focusing on college season … and trying to get better and trying to, like, earn my spot on a team."
Hendricks got to Central Florida as a top-100 recruit; highly-regarded, yes, but he wasn't seen as a one-and-done type prospect. Then he scored scored 23 points in his first collegiate game, and then had 15 points and 12 rebounds in a win over Florida State. He then won seven straight AAC Freshman Player of the Week awards.
Suddenly, a lot of people were looking at the 6-foot-9 forward who could protect the rim, guard on the perimeter, and hit from outside. He looked to be a stretch-four, 3-and-D wing hybrid that every NBA team could use.
That's when the notifications started to pop on his phone. Fans were telling him he was going to be drafted by this team or that team. One moment, he was planning for a long college career; the next, he was a projected lottery pick.
Hendricks was one of college basketball's breakout stars, where he averaged 15.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game. He went from being on the outside of the top 50 of his high school recruiting class (a class that was highly touted) to a potential top-10 pick in the span of just one season.
"I'd see my name on mock drafts, and I'm seeing teams come to the gym and watching practicing and watching some of the games," Hendricks said. "That's when I started to think I might make it."
He earned his spot on his college team; now, he'll try to do the same on the Jazz.
On paper, it looks like he'll fit right in next to Walker Kessler and Lauri Markkanen to form a potentially stalwart frontline.
He is seen as an excellent athlete with a great vertical leap. That made him a lob threat and an excellent shot-blocker as a weakside helper. Jazz general manger praised his versatility and defensive instincts. Throw in the shooting (he shot 39.4% from 3-point range) and the Jazz could have one of more athletic, long and diverse frontcourts in the entire league.
"Some of my strengths are just my ability to shoot the ball and my defensive versatility," Hendricks said. "My ability to guard, and stay in front of different players and far different positions. I feel like my effort, me diving on the floor for loose balls false and making the hustle plays is another thing I can bring to the Jazz."
Hendricks has a list of things he needs to improve on — ball handling, shot creation and strength — to be able to the player he truly wants to be in the league.
He visited Salt Lake City during the pre-darft process, but a non-serious injury kept him from working out with the team. His interviews with CEO Danny Ainge, owner Ryan Smith, and coach Will Hardy went very well, and made him feel very comfortable with the franchise.
"For them to pick me, it's crazy," Hendricks said.
A year ago, anyone picking him would have been considered crazy.
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