PLAYER PROFILE

Tyshawn Taylor

POINT GUARD

Height: 6’4”
Weight: 180
Birthday: April 12, 1990
Hometown: Jersey City, NJ
Years Pro: R
Twitter: @tyshawntaylor


Nickname: Tyshawn Turnover (ouch)
Nickname I’d Give Him: Taylor Made (Said by PA Announcer David Diamante every time he scores, in my imaginary world)
How He Got Here: The Nets sent cash considerations (read: cash) on draft night to the Portland Trail Blazers for the rights to Taylor, who they'd selected with the 41st pick in the 2012 NBA Draft.

Contract: Taylor has a guaranteed two-year contract worth the rookie minimum.

Backstory

Born in Hoboken, New Jersey, Taylor played for the legendary coach Bob Hurley at St. Anthony's High School, going 32-0 in his senior season. He played a key role for the United States Championship team in the the 2009 Under-19 Championships, leading the team in points and assists per game. Taylor is penciled in as the third-string point guard for Brooklyn, with the intention of bringing energy and solid shooting off the bench.

Strengths

The speedy rookie Taylor boasts an impressive college resume, capped off by leading Kansas in scoring in their championship loss to Kentucky in last year’s NCAA Championship. Taylor was an energetic, tenacious defender at the college level, and figures to bring that intensity to the NBA. Tyshawn has a solid shooting stroke, hitting 38% from the college three-point line in his senior year.

Weaknesses

Taylor infamously earned the nickname “Tyshawn Turnover” at Kansas, after a college career forcing the issue landed him 379 turnovers in four years, 138 in his senior season. Taylor's full of energy, which he needs with his small stature and wingspan.

Fun Fact: Taylor wears the number 41 in the NBA as motivation: it reminds him that he was the 41st overall pick in the NBA draft.