2012 NBA Draft Profile: Jeffery Taylor
By Geoff Hutchinson
Vanderbilt senior forward Jeffery Taylor might be one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2012 NBA Draft. Since his freshman year, Taylor has excited scouts with his electric athletic ability. If Taylor had entered the Draft as an underclassmen, it is very likely that his draft stock would be higher than it is currently as a senior. Scouts have often remarked that Taylor has the tendency to disappear during key stretches, another factor that has hindered his stock a bit.
The team that drafts Taylor will be getting a player that drastically improved his ability to hit an outside jumpshot throughout his career. As a sophomore, Taylor shot an abysmal 1-11 from three-point range, good for a 9% average. At that time, it was wondered if he would ever become serviceable from behind the arc. To Taylor's work ethic, he became that and much more. During his senior season at Vanderbilt, Taylor increased his accuracy from behind the three point line to a staggering 43%. On the NBA level, Taylor has improved his shot to the point where he can be counted on to be a dependable catch and shoot threat from downtown.
At six-foot-seven and 226 pounds, Taylor is the perfect size to play either wing position for the team that picks him. Offensively, Taylor struggles with his ball handling, and will need to improve on this if he wants to become a multidimensional offensive threat in the NBA. The strength of Taylor's game is his athleticism. Taylor measured in with a 40" vertical leap at the NBA Draft Combine, and is not afraid to use it. He loves getting out in transition, using his elite leaping ability and explosiveness to devastate defenders on the fast break. Throughout his collegiate career, he was amongst the nation's best at getting to the free throw line. While Taylor has done well to increase his strength, he does not finish around the hoop as particularly strong as you would hope someone with his athletic ability would.
During his career at Vanderbilt, Taylor was tasked with defending the opposition's best offensive player, whether they be a point guard or a power forward. Taylor performed admirably in that role, and should be able to contribute immediately on the defensive end for whatever team selects him. Taylor's athleticism allows for him to stay with small guards while his upper body strength allows him to guard some of the more physical forwards in the collegiate game.
He will fit best on a team with an established distributor on the team, so that Taylor will not be forced to create offense for himself. Two teams in the later third of the Draft where he could be a great fit for are the Cleveland Cavaliers at 24, and the Golden State Warriors at 30. Both teams have a need for a wing player, and have young point guards that will make things easier for Taylor on the offensive end.
Editor's Note: Geoff Hutchinson is a blogger for ESPN's Truehoop's Knickerblogger and a proud Vanderbilt alumn. He can be followed on twitter @hutchngo. We really thank him for his contribution.
Vanderbilt senior forward Jeffery Taylor might be one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2012 NBA Draft. Since his freshman year, Taylor has excited scouts with his electric athletic ability. If Taylor had entered the Draft as an underclassmen, it is very likely that his draft stock would be higher than it is currently as a senior. Scouts have often remarked that Taylor has the tendency to disappear during key stretches, another factor that has hindered his stock a bit.
The team that drafts Taylor will be getting a player that drastically improved his ability to hit an outside jumpshot throughout his career. As a sophomore, Taylor shot an abysmal 1-11 from three-point range, good for a 9% average. At that time, it was wondered if he would ever become serviceable from behind the arc. To Taylor's work ethic, he became that and much more. During his senior season at Vanderbilt, Taylor increased his accuracy from behind the three point line to a staggering 43%. On the NBA level, Taylor has improved his shot to the point where he can be counted on to be a dependable catch and shoot threat from downtown.
At six-foot-seven and 226 pounds, Taylor is the perfect size to play either wing position for the team that picks him. Offensively, Taylor struggles with his ball handling, and will need to improve on this if he wants to become a multidimensional offensive threat in the NBA. The strength of Taylor's game is his athleticism. Taylor measured in with a 40" vertical leap at the NBA Draft Combine, and is not afraid to use it. He loves getting out in transition, using his elite leaping ability and explosiveness to devastate defenders on the fast break. Throughout his collegiate career, he was amongst the nation's best at getting to the free throw line. While Taylor has done well to increase his strength, he does not finish around the hoop as particularly strong as you would hope someone with his athletic ability would.
During his career at Vanderbilt, Taylor was tasked with defending the opposition's best offensive player, whether they be a point guard or a power forward. Taylor performed admirably in that role, and should be able to contribute immediately on the defensive end for whatever team selects him. Taylor's athleticism allows for him to stay with small guards while his upper body strength allows him to guard some of the more physical forwards in the collegiate game.
He will fit best on a team with an established distributor on the team, so that Taylor will not be forced to create offense for himself. Two teams in the later third of the Draft where he could be a great fit for are the Cleveland Cavaliers at 24, and the Golden State Warriors at 30. Both teams have a need for a wing player, and have young point guards that will make things easier for Taylor on the offensive end.
Editor's Note: Geoff Hutchinson is a blogger for ESPN's Truehoop's Knickerblogger and a proud Vanderbilt alumn. He can be followed on twitter @hutchngo. We really thank him for his contribution.
Posted by Rafael Uehara at Wednesday, June 20, 2012 12:51:52 AM 
Categories: NBA
Tags: Geoff Hutchinson
Categories: NBA
Tags: Geoff Hutchinson
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