Prospect Profile

Strengths:
*Extremely athletic
*Lockdown defender
*Good rebounder
*Improving 3-point shot

Weaknesses:
*Sometimes too hard on himself for perceived mistakes
*Could stand to be more assertive more often

NBA projection:
Taylor has turned up in most mock drafts as a first-round pick because of his athleticism and willingness to defend. If he can continue to depend on his improving 3-point shot, Taylor has a chance to become a versatile player who is capable of scoring, rebounding at a high level for his position and defending three positions.

2011-12 Season:
Taylor worked hard in the offseason refining his 3-point stroke, and it paid huge dividends. Because opposing teams had to respect his perimeter game, he was even more of a threat to get into the lane and either score or pass off to an open teammate. Taylor finished second in the SEC in scoring in league games only (16.8 ppg) and earned first-team all-conference honors.

Key statistics:
16.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.7 apg, 2.2 tpg, 1.3 spg, 32.1 mpg, .493 FG, .605 FT, .423 3PT

Cool statistic:
Taylor made more 3-pointers as a senior 66 than he did his first three seasons (49).

Reminds me of:
Wilson Chandler.

What Insiders Say:
Vanderbilt coach Kevin Stallings
“The great thing is he’s still taking the ball to the basket effectively, and he’s making plays for others offensively. He’s still getting to the foul line. He’s doing a better job of converting when he gets in the lane. He’s finding people when he gets into the lane, which has been a big help to our offense. He’s playing a very complete game on the offensive end, and his defense has continued to just be phenomenal.”

What Outsiders Say:
Former LSU (now TCU) coach Trent Johnson
“I don’t think he gets enough credit. He’s an athletic player. He is going to play for money. In college, we don’t get enough athletes like him.”
 

-- Profile by Chris Dortch, editor of the Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook. Follow him @cdortch.