One of the elite performers in Arizona’s 2015 class of prospects is a name that is quickly emerging amongst the best in the class. Desert Vista High School’s ultra-athletic and talented 6-foot-3, 180-pound rising senior guard prospect Quincy Taylor is a superb talent that is making a name for himself after a strong junior season, and also a very good showing this spring on the AAU/club circuit. Taylor is a unique talent that does not often come around in the state of Arizona - a high-motor shooting guard prospect that plays well above the rim and has a propensity for scoring baskets at a high rate.
Taylor emerged this past high school season after pouring in a stellar junior year that included some of the most acrobatic performances of the season, by any player. While Taylor's numbers weren't anything to marvel at, the manner in which he produced his points was, as Taylor scored in an enthusiastic manner - dunking the basketball over defenders, scoring in transition and slashing to the basket. Taylor would average 14.9 points and 3.9 rebounds per/game during his junior season - for a team that finished with a 16-12 overall record on the season.
Coached by former high school head coach Dave Williams, who recently resigned as the program's leader, Taylor turned it up during his junior season and proved that he is among the state's top individual athletic talents - capable of getting baskets in many different fashions for himself and becoming a highlight reel in the process. Taylor seems to be the state's premier dunk artist, regardless of class, as he sours above the rim on the regular and finishes strong - over or around defenders.
This past spring Taylor raised many eyebrows with his brand of basketball while traveling with his club team - coached by former legendary girls head coach Curtis Ekmark. With Ekmark and a talented group of 2015 & 2016 prospects, Taylor has traveled around the country to some nice events and has done his part in helping the team to be successful.
While it is still unclear as to which college programs are most serious about Taylor in his college recruitment, several schools have been in contact with me regarding Taylor as a college prospect. I was not able to catch a performance by Taylor and his club team during the one weekend, NCAA evaluation period this spring, so I am looking forward to catching him this summer - during the NCAA July evaluation period.
Taylor is a unique prospect in Arizona's 2015 class, as he has high-major athleticism and a serious knack for making plays and putting the basketball in the hole. While Taylor may not be an excellent shooter he is a scorer, and is able to make plays for himself in many different ways, as a result of his tremendous bounce off the floor and high motor. Taylor plays well above the rim - playing much bigger than his size suggests. He is a scorer that is a capable of putting up baskets in a hurry. He has improved the range on his shot over time, but continued work on his jump shot will open up his full offensive repertoire., which will serve him nicely at the collegiate level.
Taylor is a good passer that sees the floor, although he needs continued focus in this area, and is also a very good ball handler that is capable of creating his own shot for himself or others. Where Taylor can really excel over time is in his ability to defend. He possesses excellent lateral quickness and has quick hands and feet. This young man has the ability to become a lock-down defender at the next level, which would make him much more attractive as a player for any college program.
I am looking forward to watching Taylor perform this summer, as he prepares to enter his biggest and most important summer of his young high school career. What level of college he plays for and where he lands will depend heavily on his performance this July.
