Next week is the NBA Draft and it’s no sure thing that a UCLA Bruin will hear his name called. UCLA’s best shot is forward Tyler Bilodeau, who spent his last two collegiate seasons with the Bruins after transferring in from Oregon State.
Bilodeau led the Bruins with 17.6 points per game, adding 5.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game as a senior. Bilodeau was listed at only 6’7” at the NBA Draft Combine but he does possess a 7’1” wingspan. Bilodeau will need those long arms at the next level, where he’ll be at an athletic disadvantage most nights.
USA TODAY’s Bryan Kalbrosky has Bilodeau getting selected in the second round by the Orlando Magic. Kalbrosky has the Magic grabbing Bilodeau with the 46th overall pick, adding Bilodeau to a compelling group of Orlando forwards.
The Magic have former first overall pick Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jonathan Isaac. Bilodeau might be the best three-point shooter of the bunch, which is something that Orlando needs after making the seventh-fewest threes last year and was last in the league in made threes in the 2024-2025 season.
Even if Orlando does draft Bilodeau in the second round, it’s not a guarantee that he’d make the team’s Opening Night roster. Bilodeau will need to impress in the Summer League and in training camp just to get a chance to play his way into the Magic’s rotation.
The good news is that Bilodeau is healthy. A right knee sprain cost Bilodeau a chance to play in this year’s NCAA tournament but he’s back at full health, ready to begin his NBA journey.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Tyler Bilodeau selected by the Orlando Magic in USA TODAY mock draft
Reporting by Dylan McNeill, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Dylan McNeill, UCLA Wire | USA TODAY Network
