UCLA fans might need to adjust their perspective—literally. The Bruins leaned heavily on Tyler Bilodeau's ability to play bigger than his size all season, but the NBA Draft Combine just revealed a surprising twist: Bilodeau is shorter than we thought.
Measured at 6'7¼" at the combine on Tuesday, Bilodeau was listed at 6'9" throughout his college career. Those two inches make a world of difference on the hardwood, especially considering he often anchored UCLA's frontcourt as a de facto center. Battling seven-footers in the rugged Big Ten Conference, Bilodeau was giving up even more size than we realized.
Mick Cronin's squad already embraced small-ball lineups, and this news underscores just how undersized they truly were. UCLA finished 14th in the Big Ten in rebounding and 10th in blocked shots—stats that suddenly make more sense. Still, Bilodeau held his own, averaging 5.6 rebounds per game, second only to Eric Dailey Jr.'s 5.8.
What Bilodeau lacks in height, he compensates with impressive length: a 7'1" wingspan and an 8'11" standing reach. His real value, however, lies in his shooting and floor-spacing ability. As a four-year forward, his offensive versatility was a game-changer for UCLA's attack, stretching defenses and creating room for his teammates.
Cronin did have a more traditional center option in Xavier Booker, the 6'11" Michigan State transfer. But Booker's inconsistency limited him to just 20.1 minutes per game, forcing the Bruins to rely on Bilodeau's grit in the paint.
Looking ahead to the NBA Draft, Bilodeau isn't projected as an early pick but could draw second-round interest. This height revelation, though, doesn't help his stock. Without the lateral quickness to guard NBA wings and now measured undersized for most big men, teams will have to evaluate him as a tweener forward who brings shooting and basketball IQ to the table.
After a couple of rebuilding years for UCLA, it'll be fascinating to see if Cronin prioritizes size at the center position next season—or continues to bet on versatile players like Bilodeau who can play above their listed height.