Tyler Hendricks: From Sidelines to Center Stage in College Basketball
Introduction
Tyler Hendricks' journey in college basketball is a testament to perseverance, faith, and the unwavering support of family. From his early days in Fort Lauderdale to his current role as a key player for Utah Valley University, Hendricks has navigated challenges, embraced opportunities, and emerged as a leader on and off the court. This article explores his path, highlighting his time at UCF, his transfer to Utah Valley, and the profound influence of his family and faith on his career.
Early Life and Basketball Beginnings
Tyler Hendricks' basketball journey began in his own backyard in Fort Lauderdale, fueled by competition with his older brother, Jamal. Those early games were more than just casual play; they were the foundation upon which Tyler honed his skills and developed his competitive spirit. "My first sport was football," Hendricks said. Their first real game came on the AAU circuit with a team called D Lions. Tyler remembers the nerves. "It was our first real game, and we were nervous," he said. "But I had like 20 points. Taylor had a double. From that point on, the game stopped being casual. It became a shared pursuit. Tyler grew into his game by defending bigger players, learning how to maneuver, float shots over length, and compete physically. These formative experiences shaped his game and instilled in him a deep appreciation for the value of hard work and dedication.
The UCF Chapter: Brotherhood and Overcoming Adversity
Tyler and his twin brother, Taylor, committed to UCF together, drawn by a coaching staff that felt like family and the comfort of staying close to home. The decision to attend UCF together was significant, representing a continuation of their shared journey. At UCF, Tyler faced his share of adversity, including a shoulder injury and a concussion. "When you sit out, rotations change," he said. "When you get injured and have to sit, you realize how much you took it for granted," Hendricks said. Despite these setbacks, he remained patient and focused, using the time to learn and grow.
While Tyler navigated his own challenges, he also witnessed his brother Taylor's meteoric rise in college basketball. Taylor went from an unranked prospect to an All-Conference player and one of the fastest risers in college basketball. "From the first game, he just went crazy," Tyler said. "He went from nobody really knowing him to being talked about as a top pick. On draft night, Tyler was not watching from afar. He was sitting right there, at one of the tables reserved for potential lottery picks. When the commissioner called Taylor's name as a first-round NBA Draft lottery pick, selected No. 9 overall, Taylor stood up immediately and hugged Tyler. The hug came first. Then their mom. Moments later, the three of them sat together on the couch for a live interview. Tyler was asked about his brother, and the words came easily. He spoke with pride. He spoke with gratitude. "It was definitely an eye-opening experience," Tyler said. For the first time in their lives, the twins were stepping into different roles.
College Basketball Crown
At the College Basketball Crown, Hendricks stepped into a bigger role and played with freedom and confidence. Against teams like Villanova, Cincinnati, and Oregon State, he delivered. Big minutes. Double figures. In the Knights’ four-game championship run, Tyler averaged 11.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, and shot an impressive 50% from beyond the arc. Hendricks even posted a double-double against Oregon State in the opening round with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Amazing all around performance by the 6’6 SG in the win over Oregon State. "That was the moment," he said.
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Transfer to Utah Valley: A Fresh Start
As Hendricks entered the transfer portal, interest came from several directions. But one program pursued him relentlessly. Every coach. Every call. "They were the only ones really pursuing me," Hendricks said. Ultimately, he chose to transfer to Utah Valley University, a decision driven by the opportunity for a fresh start and the chance to lead. For his mother, Danielle, the decision made sense quickly. "She means everything to me," he said. "It felt like a full-circle moment," he said. The move also brought him closer to his brother Taylor, who was playing professionally nearby. Now, the distance between brothers is measured in minutes, not states. Taylor plays just 40 minutes north, close enough for familiar faces in the stands.
Impact at Utah Valley University
At Utah Valley, Hendricks quickly established himself as a valuable asset. At Utah Valley, Hendricks immediately became a starter. A trusted defender. A reliable shooter. Shooting has always been his calling card. This season, he has been among the national leaders in three-point percentage. "Confidence is 80 percent of it," he said. "Skill is 20. There is no hesitation in his game. Catch. Release. "If I miss, it's usually because I thought too much," he said. Defense is where his minutes were earned and his pride shows. "It has to hurt when they score," he said. His ability to shoot from beyond the arc has made him a key offensive threat, while his defensive prowess has earned him the trust of his coaches and teammates.
Utah Valley University men's basketball head coach Todd Phillips has announced the signing of UCF transfer Tyler Hendricks. "We're excited to welcome Tyler to the Wolverine family," said Phillips. "He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge from his time in the Big 12, and we expect him to have an immediate impact in all facets of the game. After returning from an early-season injury last season, Hendricks made his first career start against Kansas State (Feb. 26) and became a key piece during UCF's run to the championship game at the inaugural College Basketball Crown postseason tournament. He averaged 11.5 points and 4.5 rebounds over the four-game stretch, shooting 53.6 percent from the field and 50 percent from three. Hendricks appeared in 40 career games at UCF, averaging 3.0 points and 2.0 rebounds while shooting 44.6 percent from the field and 36.2 percent from beyond the arc. As a redshirt freshman in 2023-24, he saw action in 14 games, averaging 2.6 points and 1.1 rebounds while shooting 46.2 percent from the floor and 35.7 percent from deep. Originally from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Hendricks prepped at Calvary Christian Academy where he helped lead his team to back-to-back Florida 3A state championships. Made his season debut at the Greenbrier Tipoff vs. Wisconsin (Nov. Earned his first collegiate start against Kansas State (Feb. Earned all three of his double-digit scoring games at the College Basketball Crown, tallying a career best of 15 points vs. Oregon State (April 1) followed by 14 vs. Cincinnati (April 3) and 12 vs. Made his collegiate debut in UCF's season opener vs. FIU (Nov. His seven points and four rebounds against FIU finished as season highs, along with another four rebounds pulled in at Cincinnati on Jan. Hit a pair of three pointers on three attempts against Jacksonville on Dec. Played in four regular season Big 12 Conference games, as well as seeing action in UCF's Big 12 Conference Championship first round game against Oklahoma State (Mar. Made an appearance in UCF's first round NIT Contest vs. South Florida on Mar.
Faith and Character: Guiding Principles
Off the court, Hendricks is known for his quiet demeanor and thoughtful nature. Off the court, Hendricks is quieter than most expect. Reserved. Observant. "I'm not rude," he said. Once people get to know him, they see something else. Someone thoughtful. Someone grounded. "God helped me through a lot," Hendricks said. Faith even spills into his creative side. He credits his faith for guiding him and strives to be a great teammate, embracing whatever role the coach assigns him. "I just want to be a great teammate," he said. "Whatever role the coach gives me, I want to do it. "I haven't been there either," he said. This commitment to faith and character is a testament to his upbringing and personal values.
Tyler's brother, Taylor, also shares a deep connection to his faith. A top 100 recruit in the class of 2022, UCF forward Taylor Hendricks has quickly made his impact known during his freshman season with the Knights. Starting in all 28 games so far in the year, Hendricks leads the team with 15.3 ppg as he has helped the Knights to a strong season. With his young career only just beginning, Taylor Hendricks credits his faith for guiding him to where he is today. With a wisdom and maturity beyond his years, he looks to use his gifts to glorify God. Photo by Tyler Thomas/UCFTaylor, a native of Florida, is joined on the UCF team by his brother, Tyler, who is also a freshman on the roster. Taylor says he couldn’t ask for anything more than to play basketball at the highest level and to do it with his brother at his side. With family and faith as his focus, Taylor says he has seen his relationship with God sprout throughout his life. Growing up in a faith-based home, Taylor says that his relationship with God really began to develop during his high school years.“Faith has always been important in my life. However, attending a Christian school since my junior year has allowed me to heavily strengthen my relationship with God and understand His word and my purpose even more.”On the court, Taylor has become a staple of the UCF team on both sides of the ball. A star in high school, Taylor helped lead Calvary Christian to back-to-back state titles. Since taking his talents to Orlando and UCF, the goals for Taylor remain the same. He says that every time he takes the court, he thanks God for the opportunity to play the game he loves.“Faith plays a huge role in my career because my trust in Him helps me feel assured that no matter what happens on or off the court, I will be just fine because He already has a plan that will leave me blessed at the end of the day.”Photo by Tyler Thomas/UCFTaylor says that he knows that plan may not always be what he expects, but he has learned to trust the process and to always place his future in God’s hands.Quickly becoming one of the top freshmen in college basketball, fans around the nation are drawn to Taylor’s athleticism and playmaking ability. Taylor says that he hopes his time around the game of basketball is used to show others that through God, anything is possible.“I just hope to inspire others and to let them know that anything is possible with faith and works through the Lord.”Taylor also says that he has learned that the journey will not always be easy. As he has worked to overcome the obstacles he has faced, he says that leaning on God and his plan has been paramount, and he hopes to demonstrate that through the way he plays.“I also hope to inspire others to keep working hard and stay faithful to the Lord no matter what trial you face.”While Taylor has incredible gifts on the court, the way he carries himself away from it may be even more impressive. Despite any accolades to his name, Taylor lives each day out of kindness and love to all those he interacts with. Rooted in faith, Taylor’s poise and character will carry him throughout wherever his journey leads him. As he prepares for the conference tournament and the chance to continue to impress as he closes out his freshman season, Taylor says he just hopes he can look back on his career and know he played for more than just himself.
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Taylor Hendricks' NBA Career
In 2023, the Utah Jazz selected Taylor ninth overall, and he got a lot of action in his rookie season. Coming into 2024-25, he was poised to make a jump, but just three games into the season, Taylor suffered a gruesome leg injury against the Dallas Mavericks and was out for the rest of the season.
Though it wasn’t his primary role in college, Hendricks showed rare flashes as a face-up threat, taking his man off the dribble and finishing at the rim. While he averaged only 1.4 assists per game, Hendricks has a knack for making quick passes near the rim to teammates cutting to the basket. Defensively, Hendricks offers excellent length, especially near the rim, where he showed strong instincts as a shot-blocker, swatting 1.7 shots per game.
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