UCLA's Tyler Bilodeau Receives Hopeful NBA Invite

Bilodeau was the only UCLA player invited to attend the NBA Combine. The only other player who arguably got snubbed was Donovan Dent, UCLA’s point guard, who finished fourth in the nation in assists last season. It is definitely questionable why Dent was left off the list.

The Case for Bilodeau Being Drafted

Last season at UCLA, Bilodeau averaged 17.6 points and 5.6 rebounds while shooting 51.8% from the field. What was really impressive about Bilodeau’s game was his three-point shooting, where he shot 46.4% from beyond the arc, a number that improved every single year during his college career.

Even though last season was not the best for UCLA, as the Bruins failed to meet the preseason expectations, Bilodeau was the constant that kept UCLA relevant. Not only was he flexible position-wise, but he was also by far one of UCLA’s most clutch players. Think back to his game-winner against Purdue last season.

The biggest question surrounding Bilodeau's decision to enter the NBA Draft is how his skill set will translate to the next level. Considering all factors, he could become a very good player, but it will likely take some time for him to develop. He has the potential to become a starter within two to three years.

The biggest indicator of why Bilodeau could succeed at the next level is what UCLA went through without him last season. The Bruins’ offense became very stagnant throughout the Big Ten Tournament and during the NCAA Tournament. Because of that impact, there is little doubt that Bilodeau can provide value at the next level.

Post-College Concerns

The only real concern surrounding Bilodeau that could hurt his draft stock is his inconsistency throughout games. Time and time again, we saw Bilodeau have explosive first halves, scoring double-digit points, only for his production to slow significantly in the second half.

Because of this, some NBA teams may hesitate to take a gamble on him right away. But if Bilodeau is given time to develop, there is little doubt he can improve, as he consistently elevated his game every single year throughout college. That is exactly the type of progression NBA teams look for.

The bottom line is that UCLA’s best player from last season absolutely has the potential to get drafted. The void he left behind will be severely missed and only further proves how impactful Bilodeau truly was for UCLA. His getting drafted would also have major implications for the future perception of UCLA’s program.