Top-50 junior Ethan Taylor talks schools heavily in the mix, his game

During his sophomore campaign, it was evident that four-star junior and Shawnee Mission Northwest star Ethan Taylor had a massive upside. He put together 10.5 points, nine boards, and four blocks per game last season and has just completely taken off this year in his junior season.

He became a key piece and helped lead his squad to an undefeated season of 25-0 and a state championship as a sophomore. It's not an easy feat as an underclassman.

The goal remains the same for Taylor in his junior season, saying obviously he has his personal goals of winning Gatorade Player of The Year but the task at hand is to win another state championship alongside his teammates.

Taylor continued his sophomore success in EYBL this past summer where he was a vital part of a MoKan squad that made it into the Peach Jam final four. Taylor was a threat on the boards and had multiple games in double-figures in scoring.

“[Winning is] very important to me,” Taylor told Stockrisers.com.

The Kansas native spoke on the topic of winning as his favorite NFL team, the Kansas City Chiefs, had just won the AFC championship.

While discussing both his recruitment and his Chiefs winning the AFC title, when I asked him about Vanderbilt’s pursuit of him he mentioned that the staff not only keeps things basketball-related but they stay consistent in talking to him about both basketball and things off the court as well.

“The program is good and the coaches are pretty consistent with talking to me about their program and other stuff like the Chiefs just winning the AFC championship.”

Amongst the other programs heavily involved in his recruitment, outside of Vanderbilt whom he had already mentioned? 

“Missouri and Oklahoma.”

Mizzou being the local school, is having a terrific season, asserting themselves as a Top-25 program and a team that has come out strong in the powerful SEC.

“My relationship with them is pretty good. The coaches are cool and check in a lot and I think they have a really good program.”

Taylor has visited the campus multiple times but happened to be on campus when the Tigers upset Kansas and was able to be part of his first courtstorming.

In addition, he had relatable things to say about Oklahoma, another school that has remained persistent in its recruitment and has been so for the last few months.

“The coaches are pretty nice with Oklahoma. I wouldn't say they’re pitching anything more than just trying to build a relationship and establishing that first.”

With those being the three main programs in the mix, it doesn’t limit any other schools from being involved in his recruitment as he does hold an influx of offers dating back from last Spring.

When I asked who else had interest, Taylor mentioned Purdue, Tennessee, Kansas, and Colorado.

For those who don’t know Taylor’s game, he is a 7-footer with a wingspan in that same range. He can handle the ball fluidly has a super high motor and is a paint threat on both sides of the ball.

“I’d say my calling card would be more defensive right now but my offensive game is catching up to the point where I’m handling the ball and implementing a shot,” Taylor said.

As far as his improvements, he kept on saying he would like to continue to improve his motor and his conditioning so that it affects his longevity in the game of basketball. Also developing a shot at his size because that is what the game is moving towards.

I can see Taylor continuing to blossom as he remains in the fold as a Top-50 prospect and will be primed for a huge summer in his final year on the circuit.