The 46.8-percent sharpshooter brings floor-spacing versatility to Brooklyn’s frontcourt, aiming to punish mismatches and sharpen his interior defense alongside newly acquired veterans Julius Randle and Michael Porter.
UCLA forward Tyler Bilodeau rounded out the Brooklyn Nets' 2026 NBA Draft class, providing Mikel Brown Jr. (No. 6 overall), Egor Demin, and the plethora of playmaking guards a reliable stretch big to kick to on the perimeter.
Both Bilodeau and Joshua Jefferson (No. 28 overall) are not your typical big men, as both can knock down the 3-point shot and move well for their size.
This combination of size and versatility should bode well for newly extended head coach Jordi Fernández , giving him options in lineup construction.
After spending his first full day as part of the franchise, Bilodeau talked about his ability to stretch the floor and what he's looking to bring at the next level.
"Just a winning mentality, space the floor, get after it defensively, rebound, be a great teammate, do all the little things," Bilodeau told YES Network.
Regardless of size, Bilodeau was one of the top overall shooters in this year's class, coming off a season where he shot a scorching 46.8-percent from deep.
The 6-foot-8 forward led the Bruins in scoring with 17.6 points per game and finished second on the team in rebounding (5.6 rpg), helping UCLA get back to March Madness.
Off the bench, Bilodeau could play a similar role to Michael Porter Jr., using his size to rise up over contests and knock down jump shots.
While shooting is definitely Bilodeau's main weapon of attack, he says he is eager to show his abilities in other areas.
"That's what I'm known for, shooting, but I think I score on all three levels, I think I'm really good at punishing switches, using my size and strength, but I also want to be seen as a good defender and rebounder as well," Bilodeau said.
Defense and rim protection is one area for Bilodeau to focus on, as he never averaged more than 0.4 blocks per game in college.
While his interior defense is still solid, Bilodeau should look to find ways to turn back more opposing shot attempts.
Bilodeau, alongside Jefferson and Brown, fill a lot of holes and question marks on Brooklyn's roster, adding playmaking, shooting, and size.
Once a previously undermanned front court unit, the Nets have quickly added depth behind Porter and newly-acquired Julius Randle, who project as a dangerous 1-2 punch on the wing.
For Bilodeau, learning from Randle and picking up ways to emulate his physicality will be crucial to him earning minutes in his rookie campaign.
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