Lindsay Taylor
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 Lindsay Taylor in April 2006
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| Position | Center |
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| Nickname | L.G. |
| League | WNBA, LFB, WKBL |
| Height | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) |
| Weight | 200 lb (91 kg) |
| Nationality |  United States |
| Born | May 20, 1981 (age 25) Poway, California, USA |
| High school | Chandler High School |
| College | UC Santa Barbara |
| Draft | 2nd round, 26th pick overall, 2004 Houston Comets |
| Pro career | 2004 – 2005, April 13, 2006 - May 17,2006 |
| Former teams | Arizona Elite Houston Comets Phoenix Mercury Seattle Storm Botasspor Adana  Shinsegae Cool Cats  Lattes-Maurin Montpellier  |
| Awards |
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Lindsay Corine Taylor (born May 20, 1981 in Poway, California) is an American professional basketball player who has played in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She had previously played for the Houston Comets and Phoenix Mercury and then for a brief period in 2006 for the Seattle Storm.
Before her departure from the WNBA, Taylor was stood as one of the league's tallest players in it's history. At 6 feet and 8 inches tall, she was tied with Katie Feenstra and Maria Stepanova as the second tallest player in the WNBA's. Only Margo Dydek, at 7ft 2in (2.18 m), is taller.
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[edit] Early life
Born on Wednesday, May 20, 1981 in Poway, California, the daughter of Catherine and Bill Taylor. According to Taylor, she wasn't involved in sports until she was 15 years old.
She had originally planned on playing in the school's marching band when she first entered high school but her closest friends, who played basketball, convinced her to start playing the game and Taylor said she eventually found herself getting involved. Taylor said she "Picked it up naturally." [1]
[edit] High school and college
Taylor attended Chandler High School in Chandler, Arizona, where she helped lead her team to two regional championships and as a senior to the Arizona State Championship. She averaged 19.2 points, 11.0 rebounds and 3.1 blocks in her final year as a prepster. During a game in, her junior year she scored a career-best 31 points and grabbed 21 rebounds. She played for the Arizona Elite where she guided the team to the 17 Gold National Championships in 1998.[2]
Taylor later became famous during her NCAA career at UC Santa Barbara, playing center for their women's team. She was (and still is) the tallest player in the school's history and attended the same classes as fellow WNBA player Kayte Christensen. In her first season, Freshman Year (2000-2001), Taylor capped her rookie season by earning the Big West Freshman of the Year award, second team all-conference and All-Big West Tournament honors She was twice named Big West's Player of the Week, first on January 15 and again on January 29. Taylor scored 20 or more points three times, with her career high of 24 coming against Boise State on January 21, 2001, her field goal percentage in Big West Play of 65.0% was the highest percent in the conference and she later had 17 double-digit performances, including nine of her last 11 games and 13 of her final 16.
In her second season, sophomore year (2001-2002), she earned her second Big West All Conference Honors. Her third season, junior year (2002-2003) was capped by an honorable mention Associated Press All-American recognition, Big West Player of the Year honors and her second consecutive conference tournament MVP award. She also enjoyed a streak of 28-consecutive made free-throws during 2002-2003 campaign,
Taylor's senior year (2003-2004), her UCSB Gaucho squad had their finest year in history. They received their 8th consecutive Big West Conference Title with a swashbucking 27-7 and won the Big West Tournament in which Taylor won her third consecutive MVP award. The Gauchos upset Colorado and Houston to get to the NCAA Sweet 16 until losing to defending and eventual champion, Connceticut, which had fellow WNBA teamate, Diana Taurasi. She notched her 1,000th point as a Gaucho at Illinois on February 13, and moved her score further uo into 13th place on UCSB's career scoring list. She only needs 500 points to break the school's highest ever career scoring record, which is held by Kristi Rohr. [3]
Taylor has said one of her biggest developments in colledge was to build her strength up. Despite pulling down 7.3 rebounds per game, she counted rebounding as a weakness of hers and would continue to work hard on it to improve.[4]
Taylor later won a Silver Medal as a member of the United States 2003 Pan American Games basketball team with fellow Guacho, Kristen Mann when they played off in the Dominican Republic gainst the home team. She was considered the best player in the game an her finest effort in the tournament was six-point, four-rebound performance in quarterfinal victory over their hosts the Dominicans.
[edit] WNBA career
The six foot eight inch tall (2.03 m) Taylor was one of the highly regarded rookies for the 2004 WNBA Draft. She was originally chosen by the Houston Comets but was subsequently traded to Phoenix Mercury alongside the higher-regarded Diana Taurasi. She was the second round (26th pick overall) in the 2004 WNBA Draft.
Her first game was against the Houston Comets on June 1 of that year. She attempted one field goal, which she missed. Unfortunately for the Mercury, soon after her first field goal attempt, she was injured during another play in that game. Despite this she played a career-high on June 27, 2004 against the Seattle Storm when 18 minutes in to the game she grabbed two rebounds and scored three points on a 3-point basket late in the game and blocked four shots in 17 minutes. The game as ended an 83-44 Phoenix victory.
Taylor remained on the injured list, but was expected to return later in her inaugural WNBA season. In total, she would appear in just five games and missing over twenty other matches during the 2004 season, seeing limited action in those games before being waived at the end of 2005 training camp.
[edit] Team Botas
Taylor spent the 2005/2006 offseason in Turkey, where she averaged 16.5 points and 10.3 rebounds per game for her new team, the Botasspor Adana (or Botas as it's known for short). [5]
On February 8, 2006 Lindsay and her team won an important game against their opponent's, the Burhaniye, at home. At the beginning of the game Botas fell way behind and were at half time numbered 25 to Burhaniye's 40. Lindsay did not score in the first half, but scored she later scored 15 points in the second half. She ended up with 16 rebounds altogeather.
On February 18 Lindsay and her team lost to Ceyhan with the scores 90-70. However, later on March 12, Lindsay's team beat their rival, Mersin, 81-71 in their home town. Lindsay had a solid double during the game with 22 points and 12 rebounds.
April 1, Lindsay had 20 points and 12 rebounds as Botas won 83-59 over their opponent, the Erdemir Spor.
[edit] Short return to WNBA
On April 13, 2006, the Seattle Storm signed Taylor to a training camp contract. Noticeably her body had filled out and matured more, gaining several pounds and becoming more physical on the court. She immediately became the team's tallest player adding an extra three inches over then tallest team mate Lauren Jackson. Much was anticipated of Taylor and Storm Coach Anne Donovan was quoted as saying.
| “ | What I saw there was some potential. | ” |
However, on May 17, 2006 Taylor was quietly released by the Seattle Storm, just a little over a month after she signed with the team making making her tenure one of the shortest in WNBA history (Carolyn Moos having the shortest period of only 13 days). Many fans expressed disappointment over the decision. According to a WNBA article on their website she had been slowed down by tendinitis in her right ankle and toes. In all, she only played in only two preseason games, one on May 7 and the other May 12, just five days before her being released, averaging 7.0 points and 3.5 rebounds on a 3-point basket late in the game. She missed an exhibition finale against the Minnesota Lynx and spent several other games on the injured list because her tendinitis in her foot.[7]
She is currently planning to try out for the WNBA tryouts in 2007. If she succeeds this will be the third time Taylor will have played in the league.
[edit] After the WNBA
May 31, 2006 Taylor travelled to Korea for two months where she played in the Korean women's league. She played for the Shinsegae Cool Cats.
On July 5, Lindsay scraped her team firmly out of last place in the league and in to a position to make the post season play-offs.
On July 7, Lindsay and her team won their second to last game. If they were to win the last game or either one of the two teams ahead of them lose there will be a tie in for fourth place with the playoffs at stake. But on July 9 Lindsay and the team were defeated. Lindsay cited the point differential of 20 points was too great to make up. Afterwards Lindsay headed home for the US.[8]
On September 17, 2006 Taylor had successful heel surgery performed on both heels. She will then recuperate and will fly off to Montpellier, France. She then played for Lattes-Maurin Montpellier. Lindsay already knows one of the players from her time in Korea, Sandra Dijon. [9]
On January 25, 2007, Lindsay rejoining her previous team, the Botasspor Adana and resumed playing in Turkey.
On February 9 Lindsay and her team beat team Galatasaray in their own gym in Istanbul. What made this a very impressive win over their opponents is the line-up the team had, four WNBA players; Loree Moore, Nikki Teasley, Tangela Smith and Chantelle Anderson. Lindsay had only two points in 21 minutes, but she had nine rebounds.
Later on March 4, Lindsay's team beat opponent Kristen Mann's team, Mersin, in the port town of Mersin, Turkey, with a score of 82-66. Lindsay had 10 pts. and 7 rebounds in 20 minutes.
March 18, 2007, Lindsey and Botas faced off and beat team As Akyazi 123 pontes to 83. Lindsay had scored 22 points in twenty minutes.
[edit] Criticism
Despite her promising potential as a player there are some who are doubting Taylor's talent to be an effective center. There have been concerns that Taylor's height is a hindrance (running the court, mobility), and in fact she is simply too tall to be an effective player, and with being at a taller height than many, makes her more prone to injury. Also some believe that Taylor's body isn't in shape to match her stature and shoul fill out and mature and work on it. [10]
Supporters however have defended Taylor by pointing out her speed and coordination as being excellent for some one of her size and build. Others have pointed out her unlimited potential on the court, fast learning and her passing of the ball to other players, something almost rare for other players of her height, and are all a source of praise.
| “ | She has unlimited potential on the court and she is also one of the fastest learners. | ” |
| “ | Most girls her size do not have the ability to make the game look as easy as she does. | ” |
[edit] International career
Lindsay has played basketball abroad representing the USA in numerous countries.
- 2005-2006: (Turkey), Botasspor Adana (1st time)
- 2006: (WKBL, South Korea), Shinsegae Cool Cats
- 2006-2007: (LFB, France), Lattes-Maurin Montpellier
- 2007-Current: (Turkey), Botasspor Adana (2nd time)
[edit] Honors and Awards
Lindsay had received numerous awards over the years and has even set several records. Below are some of the awards she has won.
[edit] College honors
- Named 2003 All-America honorable mention by the Associated Press, Basketball Times and Kodak/WBCA.
- Earned 2003 Big West Conference Player of the Year honors and to the All-Big West first team.
- Selected the 2003 Big West Tournament MVP and to the Big West All-Tournament Team, averaged 16.7 ppg. and 5.7 rpg.
- Named the 2002 Big West Tournament MVP, averaged 15.0 ppg., 8.3 rpg. and 2.0 bpg.
- A three-time Big West All-Tournament Team selection.
- Named 2001 and 2002 All-Big West second team.
- Selected as the 2001 Big West Freshman of the Year.
- Named to the 2001 Big West All-Tournament Team.
- Earned six Big West Player of the Week honors during her career.
- Named conference player of the week after averaging 16.5 points and 8.5 rebounds to close the regular season at Cal State Fullerton on February 28, 2001
[edit] College records
- Currently holds the UCSB all-time career record for scoring (1,767) field goal percentage (.559) and blocked shots (243).
- Set UCSB's all-time single-season blocked shot record with 69 in 2001-02.
[edit] College notes
- Averaged a team-best 16.8 ppg. and added 7.5 rpg. as a junior, while helping UC Santa Barbara to a 27-5 record, the Big West regular season and tournament titles and the NCAA Tournament second round.
- Ranked 25th among all 2002-03 Division I leaders in field goal percentage.
- Ranked 18th nationally in 2001-02 in blocked shots
- Recorded 12 points and 13 rebounds in UCSB's 2002 NCAA Tournament
- Finished her sophomore season as the Big West's leader in field goal percentage (.550).
- Paced the 2000-01 Big West in blocked shots (1.6 bpg.) and field goal percentage (.650).
[edit] High school notes
- Attended Chandler High School (Ariz.), where she helped her school to a pair of regional titles and the 1999 state championship.
- Averaged 19.2 ppg., 11.0 rpg. and 3.1 bpg. as a senior.
- Named the 1999 Arizona Player of the Year by Gatorade.
- Earned 1999 All-America fourth team honors from Parade Magazine.
- Named 1999 all-state first team by the Arizona Republic and Arizona Dairy Council.
[edit] Quotes
| “ | There aren't a whole lot of advantages, only than you can use the top shelf in your cupboard without any problems. | ” |
- Lindsay on her height. [12]
| “ | On the court, I feel I have a presence on the court. I hope I intimidate other people. | ” |
| “ | I get mad when people call me lanky. Lanky is hunched over. I hold myself tall and proud. I'm slender. | ” |
[edit] Trivia
- Her nickname is LG
- She wears a size 17(US)/53(EUR) shoe (12 inches long).
- Eye color: Green
- Her fave CD is Aphrodisiac by American singerBrandy.
- Her favorite color is green.
- Favorite food is baked potatoes.
- Lists volleyball player Gabrielle Reece as her favorite athlete and Dirty Dancing is her favorite movie.
- Majored in religious studies.
- Lindsay is interesting in teaching school. She also has an interest in government.
- She loves the outdoors and nature.
- Since playing in Turkey, Taylor started reading many novels. "I read a lot of romance novels like Nora Roberts, but I just finished Joel Osteen's Your Best Life Now which she described, "was really good."
- Led Chandler High School to two regional championships and the Arizona State Championship her senior year.
- Lindsay describes "I'm not good with electronics." and that she's "A little behind on the technology." She doesn't have a laptop and has only ever had two cellphones in her whole life. "I just got onto Myspace but still haven't figured it out."
- Taylor has the distinction of being the only player on the Seattle Storm team as tall as head coach Anne Donovan. A fact acknowledged by Danovan when the two stood eye to eye and she remarked "She is legit", [14]
- She is good friends with Kristen Mann.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- lindsaytaylorbasketball.com. Retrieved on November 24, 2006.
- www.wnba.com/playerfile. Retrieved on December 19, 2006.
- Time of Her Life: LINDSAY TAYLOR. Retrieved on March 3, 2007.
- Seattle Times. Retrieved on March 3, 2007.
[edit] External links
- WNBA Player Profile
- Lindsaytaylorbasketball.com
- 2004 WNBA Draft prospectus
- USA Basketball bio
- UCSB Profile
- Taylor’s Big Opportunity
- Seattle Times Interview
- Time of Her Life: LINDSAY TAYLOR
| Eastern Conference | Western Conference |
|---|---|
| Chicago Sky | Connecticut Sun | Detroit Shock | Indiana Fever | New York Liberty | Washington Mystics | Houston Comets | Los Angeles Sparks | Minnesota Lynx | Phoenix Mercury | Sacramento Monarchs | San Antonio Silver Stars | Seattle Storm |
| Defunct teams: Charlotte Sting | Cleveland Rockers | Miami Sol | Portland Fire | |
| Media: WNBA on ESPN | List of WNBA Finals broadcasters | |
| Other Women's Leagues: National Women's Basketball League | Women's National Basketball League (Australia) | |
