Skip to main content

A third visit was enough as Taylor commits to UCF

8, Aug 2013

A third visit was enough as Taylor commits to UCF

A third time is a charm.

BJ Taylor and his parents had a third face-to-face meeting with head coach Donnie Jones on Wednesday.

After the 20-minute ride back to his Orlando home and a family meeting, Taylor committed to the University of Central Florida. He picked the Knights over Miami and Lehigh.

“We just wanted to see if things were as he still felt about me, my game and if they were still the same.”

The Taylor’s built a strong relationship with the Knights’ coaching staff in two previous visits. One was the going to the campus on an unofficial visit. The other was when Coach Jones made an in-home visit.

Every meeting with Jones left the Taylor family impressed and the final one sealed the deal.

“He was just being honest and up front with me on how I could help the UCF basketball program in a positive way,” Taylor said. “I just like that they were very honest with me.”

When Jones asked Taylor what he was looking for in a school, the Boone High senior point guard prefers to be told the truth. He’s used to it.

“He didn’t guarantee me anything,” Taylor explained. “He was just straight forward and honest. Nothing has ever been handed to me.”

At 6-foot-2, Taylor has heard his critics but he gets honest critique at home. His father, Barry, encourages him but also keeps it real about improvements the younger Taylor can make on his game.

“My dad is straight-forward with me about my game on and off the court,” Taylor said. “When he tells me what I need to do to get better I go and do it. I’m not used to being stroked. I’m used to someone being honest with me.”

The elder Taylor took the opportunity to critique his son in July, who later responded in a memorable way.

Taylor’s M.O.A.M. travel team was in Indianapolis for the first evaluation period. He stumbled out of the gate in a game and his dad challenged him to get into the game early.

Taylor took the advice to heart against Ohio’s Team WORK knocking down his first three shots. He looked over to the bench and coach Adam Jones who told him to go to work. Taylor finished with 52 points. His performance had the Twitter verse buzzing.

Everyone was talking about the performance. So much was said about it basketball fans attended the Best of the South at Suwanee Sports Academy looking for the player who scored 50-plus. However, what few realize is that Taylor nearly didn’t play at BOTS because of an ankle injury suffered after his big performance. He opted to play instead and was more of a facilitator.

“I still showed that I can move the ball,” said Taylor, who considered sitting out the rest of the evaluation period because of the injury. “After I scored the 52, people automatically assumed that all I could do was score.

“Really, that was just what Team WORK was giving me and our back was up against the wall. I felt that was what I had to do to help the team win.”

Now that his decision has been made and the travel basketball season is over, Taylor is turning his focus on his senior season.

“I’m relieved with the whole situation,” he said. “I am just excited that I was blessed enough to have a situation that I can stay in my city. I’m blessed that the coaching staff is what we thought they were. Me and my family felt that it was good for me.”

Upcoming Events

Dates
March 29 – 31, 2024
Venue
Suwanee Sports Academy
Who
Girls 5th-11th grades
Event Stature
National
Entry Cost
$350
Dates
March 29 – 31, 2024
Venue
The Finley Center
Who
Boys 6th-12th grades
Event Stature
National
Entry Cost
$475
Dates
April 5 – 7, 2024
Venue
Suwanee Sports Academy
Who
Boys 8th-12th grades
Event Stature
National
Entry Cost
$475