2023 NBA Draft Live Tracker: Grading every pick made
2023 NBA Draft grade: No. 9 pick Taylor Hendricks, Utah Jazz
9. player. 118. Pick Analysis. F. UCF. Taylor Hendricks. Scouting Report
Grade: B-
The Jazz add versatile defensive forward Taylor Hendricks with the No. 9 pick. Hendricks began the season off NBA radars but quickly rocketed up draft boards with a prolific freshman campaign with UCF.
At 6-foot-9, Hendricks has legitimate 1-5 switchability and he shot roughly 40 percent from deep in college. That’s the baseline appeal — elite defense and shooting, the perfect 3-and-D forward for today’s modern game.
Hendricks can share the frontcourt with Walker Kessler and Lauri Markkanen, giving the Jazz a lot of size and flexibility. That said, Hendricks’ upside is limited as he doesn’t really have wiggle off the dribble and he’s turnover prone when asked to make advanced decisions with the ball.
From our NBA Draft Big Board:
"A talented floor spacer and shot-blocker at the four spot, Taylor Hendricks has been one of the biggest risers during the college basketball season. He doesn’t have much on-ball juice yet, but Hendricks’ fluid athleticism and impressive instincts on defense should have scouts hooked. He has the potential to switch screens and guard five positions every night. The 19-year-old has genuine Best Defender In The Draft potential."