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5 2023 NBA Draft prospects to know for the Orlando Magic’s No. 6 pick

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Mar 16, 2023; Des Moines, IA, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Gradey Dick (4) dribbles the ball against Howard Bison guard Elijah Hawkins (3) during the first half at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2023; Des Moines, IA, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Gradey Dick (4) dribbles the ball against Howard Bison guard Elijah Hawkins (3) during the first half at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /
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Taylor Hendricks, UCF Knights
Taylor Hendricks has a chance to be a hometown selection, jumping from UCF to the Orlando Magic in the draft. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

5 NBA Draft prospects to know for the Orlando Magic’s 6th pick

Taylor Hendricks, UCF

The Orlando Magic have a clear shooting need, but they also need to improve their depth throughout the roster. And so everything should be on the table for the Magic.

About the only position the Magic have good depth at is point guard with Markelle Fultz and Cole Anthony manning the spots — and Jalen Suggs able to help out.

So the Magic should be thinking about everything and what they need.

The forward spot — especially another swing forward — and some rim protection are going to be vital for the team. And that is why UCF forward Taylor Hendricks should be pretty high on the Magic’s radar. He does a lot of the things supporting forwards need to do to be successful.

Hendricks averaged 15.1 points per game, 7.0 rebounds per game and 1.7 blocks per game. In his year at UCF, he was able to block shots and defend multiple positions. He has the footwork and athleticism to get out on the perimeter and the strength and size to hold his own on the block.

Hendricks could even develop into a solid outside shooter, making 39.4 percent of his 3-pointers and 78.2 percent of his free throws. There will still be work to do there, but he should at least be able to pop out to the mid-range.

That is definitely a benefit for him.

Hendricks may still be limited from doing other things. He is not particularly shifty off the dribble — most of his scores at UCF were in transition or in straight-line drives to the basket. His rebounding stats are also not particularly impressive, suggesting he may still have work to do to improve as a rebounder.

Still, he checks a lot of the boxes physically and his skill should translate to the NBA and within a role for the team.