Ex-KU Jayhawk Tyshawn Taylor building Kansas-led team for 2022 TBT

LAWRENCE — Tyshawn Taylor has participated in The Basketball Match earlier than, and this yr he has goals of doing so once more with a squad pushed by former Kansas Jayhawks like himself.

Taylor, who spent 4 seasons in faculty at Kansas from 2008-12 and performed in a Remaining 4, drew inspiration from watching Brian Hanni put collectively the Rock Chalk Roundball Basic charity occasion. He considered how, the final time there was a group assembled for the match like he’s attempting to this yr, he felt just like the group may have made a greater run if it had been organized extra successfully. So, he began to make his push to have the Jayhawks be represented within the 64-team subject that’ll be competing for a $1 million pay-out.

And as Taylor defined his thought course of Wednesday, it’s clear what’s driving him. Certain, there’s a possibility to earn money. However he’ll even have one other likelihood to play with a gaggle of athletes who went to Kansas similar to he did, and have that shared expertise.

“For me, I’m performed enjoying basketball,” stated Taylor, who was chosen within the 2012 NBA draft and has additionally performed professionally abroad. “So, I’m not searching for an abroad contract or something like that. For me, I don’t even care if — I care if we win, as a result of that’s why I’m placing it collectively. I wish to win. Once more, I’m speaking about being aggressive. However, yeah, I’m not going on the market attempting to love drop 30 and hope I get signed from this. Like, I don’t need no one on my group like that. I’ve performed on this, to know that one of the best — the individuals who purchase in to attempting to win the sport go the furthest on this match and win the cash.”

Taylor continues to be going by means of the method of placing collectively the group, forward of a Wednesday deadline to use. He’ll have to have no less than seven gamers, and to this point stated he has about 4 or 5 and a coach. He famous that amongst these dedicated, exterior of himself, are Cliff Alexander and Mario Little.

The potential exists, Taylor mused, that Malik Newman, Devon Dotson, Dedric Lawson, Frank Mason III and Wayne Selden Jr. may all be part of him. Contemplating he’ll be across the former Jayhawks this week due to the festivities that go together with Hanni’s charity occasion, and people gamers are set to be on the town, in a method it may additionally function a recruiting occasion. However collaborating would even have to suit with their schedules, and needs for a way they’re seeking to spend their summers.

Taylor added that he’s nonetheless trying so as to add a wing, and introduced up a expertise like Marcus Garrett whereas doing so. And Taylor talked about Thomas Robinson, too. Taylor thinks he can persuade Robinson, a former teammate of his, to be part of it.

“It’s basketball; I like basketball,” stated Taylor, explaining what he enjoys about The Basketball Match. “It’s a possibility to play and compete … That’s the entire thing. It’s the summer season, and we’re enjoying basketball. So, it’s like, what else are we doing as basketball gamers? That’s what we do. And so, they’re giving us a possibility to play and showcase our expertise on TV and make some cash whereas doing it. It’s a no brainer for me, for anyone who likes to play basketball and likes to compete.”

Taylor continued: “To be trustworthy, I don’t know why quite a lot of guys stand down from the chance to earn money in the summertime. However I additionally don’t perceive why guys simply don’t wish to play pickup in the summertime. Like quite a lot of guys similar to to coach and work out, and I sort of get it. However I don’t know, I’m completely different. I wish to play. I grew up and I made my bones within the parks and the playgrounds with the older guys. And that’s how I sharpened my instruments.”

Taylor feels annually he’s been part of The Basketball Match there have been moments which have caught with him. Every year, he stated, there are gamers who separate themselves from the remainder. Merely put, he stated it’s enjoyable to look at.

Jordan Guskey covers College of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.