2023 NBA Draft odds: Taylor Hendricks set at over-under 8.5 slot, will become first-ever first-round pick from Central Florida

Some notable NFL players have come out of the University of Central Florida, but no big-name NBA players have come from one of the nation's biggest schools. In fact, no UCF basketball player has ever been a first-round draft pick. That should change Thursday night in the 2023 NBA Draft with Knights freshman center Taylor Hendricks given an over/under draft position of 8.5 at DraftKings.

The only two previous UCF players drafted were Bennie Shaw, a 1976 ninth-round pick to Milwaukee, and Jermaine Taylor, a 2009 second-round pick to Washington. Joey Graham was a 2005 first-round pick by Toronto. He started his college career at UCF but ended it at Oklahoma State.  

The 6-foot-9, 215-pound Hendricks was a four-star recruit per sister site 247Sports in the Class of 2022, the No. 84 overall player and No. 13 power forward. That made him the third-highest rated recruit entering the American Athletic Conference behind Houston's Jarace Walker (No. 12), who is slotted to be chosen right around Hendricks' spot, and Terrance Arceneaux (No. 31).

Hendricks more than lived up to expectations, named to the AAC's All-Freshman Team and a member of the All-AAC Second Team overall. Hendricks started every game and led the team in scoring and rebounding, averaging 15.1 points and 7.0 boards per contest. He also led in field goal percentage at 47.8% and in three-point percentage at 39.4% (among eligible players). Hendricks' 59 blocks led the AAC. He was the only player in the NCAA to hit 60 or more 3-pointers, 55 or more blocks and have 35 or more dunks.

Some have compared Hendricks to current Grizzlies All-American and 2023 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. Since 2008, only five freshmen in high major programs matched Hendricks' block rate and 3-point percentage while in college. Jackson Jr. was one of them in his lone season at Michigan State in 2017-18 and was the No. 4 overall pick in 2018.

Regarding Hendricks being slotted at O/U 8.5, Washington currently picks eighth and Utah ninth. FanDuel has a prop on which player goes ninth (regardless of whichever team picks there) and Hendricks is the +350 favorite. Hendricks is ranked as the No. 9 overall prospect per the CBS Sports Big Board.

That Hendricks is a top-10 pick is -2000. That he goes in the top five is a +1000 long shot. Finally, in a head-to-head on which player is selected first, Hendricks is +150 against Arkansas freshman Anthony Black (-190), who is ranked No. 8 on the CBS Sports Big Board. 

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