[Sly Fox]

Larry Taylor
6' 1" 160 lbs Point Guard
Englewood (FL) North Port HS


ESPN Insiders Profile - Rating: 84

SWFLHoops.com Profile

Taylor is the prototypical high basketball IQ point guard with the slight bit of edge to his demeanor that is needed to succeed at the next level. He is always looking for the right pass and always under control, while using change of speeds and deception to gain a step on defenders. As a scorer, he often finds a way to finish around the basket with Nash-esque layups while also possessing a consistent mid-range jumper and reliable stroke from deep. He is at his best when working off the pick-n-roll as a passer, which should translate well to the college level. As a defender, his length and quick hands make him a thief waiting to happen, and although not an ultra-quick guard defensively, he is able to use that length and hoops IQ to stay with speedier ball-handlers. Taylor has paired with University of Central Florida signee Kasey Wilson to lead North Port to a 15-5 record overall currently, with a 5-1 record in district 6A-7 play. Recruiting wise, Liberty University has officially offered the heady point guard, while he is also received interest from a number or other low to mid major division 1 programs.

Taylor is an extremely smart point guard who knows the game like few high school players do. He has already learned how to pick his spots and although he does not necessarily try to blow by anyone he uses change of speeds to gain an advantage and get by his man. He has a very good stroke either off the catch or bounce. Very good vision and good ability to set up his teammates in the right spots for scores, especially off the pick and roll. Taylor has grown and gotten stronger over the last year or so as well, which has started to show in his game. He is able to get through the lane a little easier and finish more plays around the basket with contact. His length makes him a very opportunistic defender with an uncanny ability to get tips and steals consistently. (Oct. '10)

[Chris Lang]

Committed to Liberty:

http://insidesports.blogs.heraldtribune ... o-liberty/

[jcmanson]

Thanks Chris.

[BJWilliams]

good pickup...he'll have some awful big shoes to step into with Jesse graduating in 2012

[jcmanson]

good pickup...he'll have some awful big shoes to step into with Jesse graduating in 2012

No one’s expecting him to come in and step into Jesse’s shoes. We do have other guards that will be on the roster. You know Chene, Evan and John Caleb. I think those 3 would be more than capable to collectively “step into Jesse’s shoes.”

[TDDance234]

I'd imagine Chene will be the starting PG in '12, with Larry backing him up. From reading about him, it seems Larry fits in the mold of Jesse.

[anberlinrawk]

Crazy to see a Herald Trib link on FlameFans.

Welcome to the LU Family, Larry. It's cold up there.

[TylerBakersGonnaBGreat]

6'1"? We must have measured him on his visit.

"Taylor, a 5-foot-10 point guard out of Englewood, Florida, is known for his tremendous speed and ability to get to the rim despite his overall height."

[lynchburgwildcats]

His picture makes him look like a middle schooler

[Sly Fox]

Signed!

Welcome to the LU Family, Larry!

[Sly Fox]

For the record, Larry's season is apparently done. His North Port team finished 21-5. Here were his averages on the season:

• 23 Points
  5 rebounds
  5 Assists
  4 Steals
  47 FG%

[Sly Fox]

It appears the locals down in Florida were impressed with Larry's season ...

BOYS BASKETBALL: Bobcats' Taylor, Cougars' Gates honored
Thu. February 23, 2012 at 5:01 p.m. | By Staff Report


North Port's Larry Taylor is the FACA Player of the Year. (Photo by J. Meric)

FACA Sarasota/Manatee County Boys Basketball Awards:

8A Coach of the Year - Curt Allen, North Port, Player of the Year - Larry Taylor, North Port
7A COY - James Slaton, Venice, POY - Zach Flerlage, Venice
6A COY - Reggie Bellamy, Palmetto POY - Jordan Smith, Palmetto
5A COY - Elliot Washington, Southeast, POY - Antonio Ray, Southeast
4A COY - Gary Clark, Booker, POY - Jamal Gaines, Booker
3A COY - Stefan Gates, Cardinal Mooney, POY - Jamie Glasser, Cardinal Mooney
2A COY - Phil Helmuth, Sarasota Christian, POY - Henry Ford, Sarasota Christian

Overall Coach of the Year - Stefan Gates
Overall Player of the Year - Larry Taylor

Click Here for Source

[olldflame]

Per FlamesNation Larry is transferring. Can´t say I´m surprised. I expect to see at least one more leave before it is over.

I hate to say it, but I think we may need to go the JUCO route again on this one to get an immediate upgrade at the point.

[jbock13]

JUCO's all day, the Layer way.

[olldflame]

JUCO's all day, the Layer way.

Actually, prior to this most recent class, Layer didn´t sign that many JUCO players. I´m not trying to predict what he will do with this schollie, just suggesting that IMHO it might be a good move at this time. Tough to ask a true Freshman to come in and play the point right away, but it can happen. The kid at Longwood did pretty well, and Nimley before him at CSU.

[Purple Haize]

Per FlamesNation Larry is transferring. Can´t say I´m surprised. I expect to see at least one more leave before it is over.

I hate to say it, but I think we may need to go the JUCO route again on this one to get an immediate upgrade at the point.

You mean better then JC'S? Wow that could be tough to do.....

[ballah09]

i fully expect Wes to transfer next.

[olldflame]

Per FlamesNation Larry is transferring. Can´t say I´m surprised. I expect to see at least one more leave before it is over.

I hate to say it, but I think we may need to go the JUCO route again on this one to get an immediate upgrade at the point.

You mean better then JC'S? Wow that could be tough to do.....

I was actually referring to an upgrade over Taylor as the backup point, but I would also say that for a newcomer to play ahead of JCS he is going to have to be a real impact player, and the fact is you are more likely to see that from a JUCO transfer than a true Freshman.

[olldflame]

Larry has transferred to Rollins College, a D2 program in his home state of FL. Wish him nothing but the best.

[olldflame]

FlamesNation interviewed Larry about his transfer.

http://www.libertyflamesnation.com/2013 ... llege.html

To say he was not complimentary of our staff would be IMHO putting it mildly


¨So, with all the great memories, why did he choose to transfer? Taylor said he didn't agree with the way the coaching staff related to the players, saying they were "kind of phony" and that they "played head games." Larry says the coach/player relationship is very important to him, particularly with the head coach, and at the end of the day he "didn't feel comfortable" at Liberty.¨

Relationships are a 2 way street. Maybe Larry needs to take a look in the mirror. Sounds a lot like sour grapes coming from a player who was a big fish in a small pond in HS and could see he was destined to warm the bench if he stayed at LU. Instead of owning up to the fact that maybe he isn´t as good as he thought he was and he is transferring to a program where he will have an opportunity to play, he blames the coach. I still wish him well, but at this point I don´t have much respect for him.

[PAmedic]

Taylor mentioned one friend by name, Andy Smallwood, saying he was extremely thankful for Andy always "being there for me." Smallwood, who is a master's student at Liberty and acted as a mentor to Taylor, tried to encourage him to stay at Liberty. Once the decision was made to transfer, Smallwood hooked him up with a high school coach in Florida who connected him to Rollins.

hmm

[olldflame]

Taylor mentioned one friend by name, Andy Smallwood, saying he was extremely thankful for Andy always "being there for me." Smallwood, who is a master's student at Liberty and acted as a mentor to Taylor, tried to encourage him to stay at Liberty. Once the decision was made to transfer, Smallwood hooked him up with a high school coach in Florida who connected him to Rollins.

hmm

whatta great guy.

[CSURamjettech]

How many transfers have you guys had besides Seth Curry since Dale Layer took the helm at Liberty? Every year he was coaching at Colorado State, there were at least 2-3 transfers leaving per year because of so-called "player-coach relationship issues."

[SuperJon]

Curry left before Layer got here. Go back under your bridge.

[olldflame]

How many transfers have you guys had besides Seth Curry since Dale Layer took the helm at Liberty? Every year he was coaching at Colorado State, there were at least 2-3 transfers leaving per year because of so-called "player-coach relationship issues."

Curry left when McKay was still coaching. A lot of people think Richie would still be our coach if Seth had stayed.

The answer to your question is that we had a lot of transfers the first 2 years under Layer. 4 and then 2. The last 2 years it has been 1 each. To my knowledge Taylor is the first to cite relationship issues or be critical at all of DL for that matter. The reasons for leaving were a mix of basketball issues such as lack of PT or feeling they were not being used properly and problems with the rules at LU.