FORT WORTH, Texas – After turning heads around the country with a phenomenal rookie campaign, UCF men's basketball freshman Taylor Hendricks has been named as one of 25 Kyle Macy Award finalists, one of college basketball's awards honoring the top freshmen in college basketball. Hendricks is the first Knight in program history to be named as a finalist for the honor.
Hendricks is already about as decorated as any other freshman in the country. He was honored by The American with a unanimous All-Freshman Team decision as well as a spot on the All-Conference Second Team. Hendricks set The American record for most Rookie of the Week nods in a season, tallying nine honors. The league's weekly awards were handed out 17 times this season, meaning Hendricks was honored as Rookie of the Week more times than he wasn't. He also set the conference record for most consecutive Rookie of the Week honors, earning four-straight from Nov. 21-Dec. 12. He won the award in four of the first five weeks of the season and finished the year winning three-of-four possible honors. Hendricks was named to the weekly honor roll on Nov. 14, meaning he was recognized by the conference in the first five weeks of the campaign.
During the regular season, Hendricks averaged 15.6 points and 6.8 rebounds a game. He tallied a conference-leading 51 blocks and added 27 steals in the process. He shot 48.8% from the field and 41.3% from the three-point line.
Hendricks scored 20 or more points in six games this season, hitting his career high twice. He scored 25 points on the road at Tulsa to top his previous best of 23 which he achieved twice, before scoring 25 again on the final day of the regular season against ECU. He tallied five double-doubles along the way, earning his first against Florida State in the second game of the season, earning 15 points and grabbing 12 boards.
Earlier in the season, Hendricks had been honored as the Baha Mar Hoops MVP as well as a spot on the All-Tournament Team. He earned his second career double-double in the tournament's semifinal matchup against Oklahoma State before dropping 19 against Santa Clara to help the team win the title.
ABOUT THE AWARD
The Kyle Macy Award, which is presented annually to the top freshman in Division I college basketball, is named for a guard who starred as a freshman for Purdue. The 1975 Indiana "Mr. Basketball" played his freshman season at Purdue University, averaging 13.8 points per game while leading the Boilermakers in free throws (85.9 percent for the season). He started in 25 of 27 games, helping them to a 16-11 season record.
After playing his freshman year at Purdue, Macy transferred to the University of Kentucky in 1976. He started every game for the Wildcats in 1977. A three-time All-America and three-time All-SEC player, Macy was a member of Kentucky's 1978 National Championship team. In his senior year of 1979-80, he became the first Kentucky player ever to be named consensus Southeastern Conference Player of the Year.
The recipient of the 2023 award will be announced in March, in Houston site of the men's NCAA Basketball Championship. The award is presented by CollegeInsider.com.
2022-23 KYLE MACY AWARD FINALISTS
Anthony Black, Arkansas
Adem Bona, UCLA
Donovan Clingan, Connecticut
Noah Clowney, Alabama
Gradey Dick, Kansas
Kyle Filipowski, Duke
Keyonte George, Baylor
Taylor Hendricks, UCF
Jalen Hood-Schifino, Indiana
Jett Howard, Michigan
Alex Karaban, Connecticut
Tamin Lipsey, Iowa State
Fletcher Loyer, Purdue
Aidan Mahaney, Saint Mary's
Brandon Miller, Alabama
Judah Mintz, Syracuse
Shy Odom, Howard
Andrew Rohde, St. Thomas-Minnesota
Brice Sensabaugh, Ohio State
Braeden Smith, Colgate
Cade Tyson, Belmont
Jarace Walker, Houston
Cason Wallace, Kentucky
Tre White, USC
Cam Whitmore, Villanova
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