'11 OH PG Stevie Taylor

[LitlBuck]

Maybe Ohio state should take a second look at Stevie

Dispatch

April 12, 2009

Gahanna's Taylor helps Team Ohio stay unbeaten in Italian tournament

Team Ohio ran its record to 6-0 in reaching the semifinals of the 17-and-under Memorial Invitational basketball tournament in Milan, Italy. Gahanna sophomore Stevie Taylor had 44 points and 15 assists in victories over teams from Italy (109-92) and Switzerland (86-70).

[CityLeagueHoops]

Stevie in action earlier this season.

YouTube - Stevie Taylor, Gahanna Lincoln, Class...

[LitlBuck]

Originally Posted by CityLeagueHoops

Stevie in action earlier this season.

YouTube - Stevie Taylor, Gahanna Lincoln, Class of 2011 vs Groveport

Stevie looks pretty sweet to me

[buckeydoptimist]

I think we should sign another PG in 2010 and another in 2011. PG is such a critical position and you should really always have 3 on a roster! In 2010-2011 we look to only have Smith right now and some have said he should play 3/4 in college - which makes his being a full-time PG sound kind of dubious. You can always play 2 PGs at the same time at times and want to for protecting leads or pressing when behind.

So I'd like to sign a PG in 2010, and would not mind a mini-PG like a Taylor in 2011. I kind of like having a mini-PG on the roster to run circles around the other team and provide that quickness and spark they often do. Now that presumes that Stevie is quick enough and good enough to compensate for his lack of size - at this level. Drew Lavender was, for instance, as were guys like Ronnie Stokes ( have heard he was really closer to 5'9 than his listed 6' ) and Mugsy Bogues and Calvin Murphy etc. etc. I kind of like a "buzzing bee" type and Taylor may fit that mold. Particularly as the 3rd PG on the roster I'd take that chance.

[crazybuckfan40]

Originally Posted by buckeydoptimist

I think we should sign another PG in 2010 and another in 2011. PG is such a critical position and you should really always have 3 on a roster! In 2010-2011 we look to only have Smith right now and some have said he should play 3/4 in college - which makes his being a full-time PG sound kind of dubious. You can always play 2 PGs at the same time at times and want to for protecting leads or pressing when behind.

So I'd like to sign a PG in 2010, and would not mind a mini-PG like a Taylor in 2011. I kind of like having a mini-PG on the roster to run circles around the other team and provide that quickness and spark they often do. Now that presumes that Stevie is quick enough and good enough to compensate for his lack of size - at this level. Drew Lavender was, for instance, as were guys like Ronnie Stokes ( have heard he was really closer to 5'9 than his listed 6' ) and Mugsy Bogues and Calvin Murphy etc. etc. I kind of like a "buzzing bee" type and Taylor may fit that mold. Particularly as the 3rd PG on the roster I'd take that chance.

I agree that we need to add anothe one in 2010 and one in 2011, but at this point don't see Taylor being that guy...I would Say Bradon Kearney is high on the list in 2011...But it is still early for that class...

I still wish that there was a way to get back in on Staten, but not going to happen...

Now back to Taylor...

[MaxBuck]

Watched Stevie's highlight video. He's a fine high-school 1-guard; not sure he is high-D1 caliber, though. A player as small as he is has to be a lot quicker than he appears to be in order to hold his own in major college hoop.

JMO.

[buckeydoptimist]

That's the pertinent question, IS HE QUICK ENOUGH to overcome his size limitations. I like what I've seen of him but am also not 100% sure yet. He does get kudos from the scouts watching him in AAU ( comparing him to other hi calibre players ) so there is at least some reason to believe he may be good/fast/quick enough. We still have some time I think before he'll choose a school. I certainly hope the staff keeps tabs on him. Like I said before, I like ONE mini-guard on a roster as it throws a curveball to the opposition. I like a big enforcer type as well - and Lauderdale is filling that role nicely now.

[LitlBuck]

When we start talking about height maybe we should talk about Drew Lavender and plenty of others that turned out to be pretty good PG's. Quickness can make up for a lot of deficiencies but I think you guys know that. Stevie Taylor

[buckeydoptimist]

One thing I've noticed is that recruiting guru types are less likely to put these flea-sized PGs on their T100 type lists. They know that 5'8 PGs are a dime-a-dozen at the high school level yet very few have the physical skills needed to overcome that at the next level. So those that are "exceptions" and do percolate up the recruiting lists are usually pretty good. Drew Lavender was a Mcdonalds AA for instance and on many gurus top 25 lists despite his small stature. So it shouldn't have surprised many that he had a couple good years at Xavier. Likewise, Mugsy Bogues was identified and highly regarded early.

Thus a Phil Pressey appears to be a solid player as he is very highly regarded by gurus even though he is only like 5'8.

Taylor is not quite that highly rated at this point so he is still a bit of a question mark. He is in some gurus top 100 lists though so there is a chance he could be an exception - despite being flea sized.

[wadc45]

BuckeyeGrove.com - Spiece: Sullinger strong on day three (free)

Another member of the 2011 class who showed off his game was Stevie Taylor. The diminutive point guard was very good in the 16 and under championship game. His shot was falling from deep, and that allowed him to use his quickness to beat his opponents off the dribble. Taylor finished with a game high 24 points, and almost single handedly kept OBC in the game against Team Indiana.

[LitlBuck]

Stevie Taylor Profile - Basketball Recruiting

Find it interesting that he is being recruited by none other than John Groce. I think this answers some questions about his height versus his playing ability.

[buckeydoptimist]

Why would OU offering ( or that a small program HC, like Groce still is, recruiting him ) answer the questions about his capability to play at the hi major level? His offers are Akron, James Madison, and OU. Not hi majors by any means. It's early and he may prove himself, but for now that offer list is not evidence that he is tOSU calibre or worthy of an offer from our staff just yet.

Originally Posted by LitlBuck

Stevie Taylor Profile - Basketball Recruiting

Find it interesting that he is being recruited by none other than John Groce. I think this answers some questions about his height versus his playing ability.

[LitlBuck]

Originally Posted by buckeydoptimist

Why would OU offering ( or that a small program HC, like Groce still is, recruiting him ) answer the questions about his capability to play at the hi major level? His offers are Akron, James Madison, and OU. Not hi majors by any means. It's early and he may prove himself, but for now that offer list is not evidence that he is tOSU calibre or worthy of an offer from our staff just yet.

Excuse me. I didn't know that a university who was considered a mid-major did not go after talented players. He also has St. Joseph on his list and I believe there were 2 guards From St. Joseph's who graduated a couple years ago there were not very bad I would not judge a player, especially a junior who is just entering high school, by his offer list. Groce doesn't know talent

[itownbuckeye]

Originally Posted by LitlBuck

Excuse me. I didn't know that a university who was considered a mid-major did not go after talented players. He also has St. Joseph on his list and I believe there were 2 guards From St. Joseph's who graduated a couple years ago there were not very bad I would not judge a player, especially a junior who is just entering high school, by his offer list. Groce doesn't know talent

Litl, sounds like you're taking this personally. Yes, mid-majors do recruit talented players but the fact that any big-time schools have yet to offer does say something. Like you said, Taylor will just be a junior this year and still has a chance to show that he's a high D1 player. I'm sure OSU & others will be keeping tabs. No reason to rush things.

[LitlBuck]

Originally Posted by itownbuckeye

Litl, sounds like you're taking this personally. Yes, mid-majors do recruit talented players but the fact that any big-time schools have yet to offer does say something. Like you said, Taylor will just be a junior this year and still has a chance to show that he's a high D1 player. I'm sure OSU & others will be keeping tabs. No reason to rush things.

Taking it personally check out my Profile location