By: Jarrett Jennings and Juliana Rodrigues
With three Rookie of the Week awards and an average of 14 points per game, UCF point guard B.J. Taylor is putting together one of the most impressive campaigns of any freshman in UCF history.
In basketball, a good point guard controls the pace of the game and movement of the ball. A great point guard has the ability to accomplish both of these feats, while also being an unequivocal leader of his team.
The son of Pamela and Barry Taylor, the freshman was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He still has strong ties to his birthplace and can be found there for the holidays, as well as during the summer.
“My whole family lives there. Actually my whole mom’s side of the family lives in Baton Rouge, so I go there all the time to visit. Louisiana has good food. I love Baton Rouge,” said Taylor.
His parents were the propellants of his basketball career. They were major influences in both his childhood and adolescence, becoming the first people to encourage Taylor to succeed in the sport and chase his dreams.
“My mom taught me to never quit. Once you start, keep going and remain positive, even when it gets hard. My dad taught me that if I did something, to do it to the best of my ability. To be the best that I could be,” said Taylor.
He made the move to Orlando when he was only one and it was here that he was given the first taste of the sport he would come to love. For most of his life, Taylor was a dual-sport athlete and excelled in both football, as a quarterback, and basketball.
“I played football from the second grade all the way until the ninth grade. I made varsity as a freshman [in high school],” said Taylor. “My dad bought me one of those small hoops when I was two years old. When I was six, I began playing recreational basketball and just kept on going.”
Growing up, Taylor’s favorite basketball player was Tracy McGrady. As he got older, he began idolizing and molding his game after players such as Chris Paul and Damian Lillard.
According to ESPN, Taylor was a highly coveted three-star recruit coming out of high school. Among those schools interested in his talents were the University of Miami, the University of Alabama, and Indiana University; but he made the decision to attend UCF early in the recruiting process, because it was the best fit for him.
“I was able to come here and use the facilities the day after my high school season ended because I was from here, so I got a big step up right there. I got to come over here [to UCF] and meet Ben, our strength coach, and talk to the other coaches,” said Taylor.
When he chose to continue his career at UCF, his fan base of friends and family from the surrounding Orlando area came with him. The fact that there were so many familiar faces in the crowd helped him with that transition.
“I have a lot more support than guys who decide to go away for college. My close family is here and my friends from high school, too. I have that with me,” said Taylor.
The biggest change for the athlete came in the form of the quality of player that he was matched up against. Although there were big differences in playing style, he quickly learned to adapt to the college level.
“It is different. The players here are obviously faster, taller, and stronger,” said Taylor.
The intensity of the game may have required some getting used to, but some things remained the same. Taylor and freshman shooting guard Adonys Henriquez have been friends since they were ten-year-olds; they now stand on the same side of the court when it’s game time.
“Adonys is my best friend on the team. We have known each other for so long. His middle school was five minutes away from mine and my dad coached him when we were younger,” said Taylor.
The longtime friendship has only improved their chemistry on the court. When asked about his most memorable game to this point in his career, the guard had two answers.
“The game against Tulane this season was a good one. It was crazy. We went to triple overtime and I scored 33 points,” said Taylor. “When I was in high school, our game against Edgewater was a huge one. I think I had around 33 in that game, too.”
Taylor’s favorite team in the NBA is currently the Cleveland Cavaliers. He also roots for the Orlando Magic, and believes that with the young talent they currently have, the team is built for future success. His favorite player is LeBron James, who is also one of his role models along with Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning. Taylor’s admiration for both players goes well beyond the scoreboard.
“You never hear about them being involved in any bad stuff off the court or field. They always perform [in games], but they are never in scandals or anything like that. They are great leaders,” said Taylor.
Taylor prefers the pregame ritual of listening to music. He is partial to Lil Wayne and Drake, but will listen to any of the latest trends.
“I always have my headphones in. I have to listen to something, and it’s usually any new songs that are out. Before the game, I [use the music] to just focus on what I have to do on the court as I get mentally prepared,” Taylor said.
In his spare time, Taylor enjoys watching movies. He usually watches films with critically acclaimed feedback, enjoying ones that have been nominated for Academy Awards. Recent favorites have included Lincoln, The Wolf of Wall Street, and Fury.
The season has been somewhat rocky for the Knights and they will enter their next game at 9-12, but there is always room for improvement and they are far from giving up. Taylor believes the team is getting better with each game and practice.
“We have to keep getting better and stay positive. No one in this conference is going to feel bad for us; no one is going to take pity on us. We have to get ready and just play,” said Taylor.
After missing the last two games due to a concussion, Taylor was back for practice on Feb. 5. The hit occurred between him and sophomore center Justin McBride during the game against Cincinnati, where UCF fell 56-46.
“The shot went up and McBride went to contest it. When he turned around, he accidently elbowed me in the face, right in the head,” said Taylor.
Regardless of the minor setback, Taylor is ready to get back into the sport he has been playing since the age of two.
Taylor is a quick, focused, and determined individual. While he is already known on campus as one of the best freshmen to grace UCF basketball, he is far from finished. College is only the beginning for this young athlete, so long as he carries the same drive he has now into the future. The fire and leadership he brings to the team provides an exciting game to watch, whether one is in the student section or sitting at home.
“I like to be all around. I think I can shoot, pass, run the team, and be a leader. I like doing that. I enjoy doing a little bit of everything on the court. Sometimes you have to be the one to get the team involved,” said Taylor. “Whatever the game calls for.”
