Jalen Taylor (182-PG, college: BMC) is a 182cm guard from Huntsville, Alabama. He has professional experience having played with BC Uprise RD (Dominican Rep.-United Cup) averaging 7.3ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 37.5%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT-3 (83.3%) and with Super Cable Grecia (Costa Rica-LSB) averaging 14.5ppg, 3.2rpg, 4.1apg, 2.4spg, 2FGP: 40.5%, 3FGP: 31.4%, FT: 59.4%. He began his basketball career at Westminster Christian Academy and then played at Auburn University Montgomery (NCAA2) from 2018-2021 playing a total of 45 NCAA 2 games. He then finished at Blue Mountain College (NAIA) averaging 8.7ppg, 2.8rpg, 3.2apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 43.5%, 3PT: 22.7%, FT: 76.3%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.
Thanks Jalen for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you?
Currently I’m in Huntsville Alabama training with my mentor JayR Strowbridge ( 10 yr pro last season in CIBACOPA) Basketball life is good right now, I train 2 times a day with JayR then I train local kids from the city at night time. Just staying ready until the next opportunity presents itself
You’re a player that has professional experience in countries Dominican Republic and Costa Rica. How big is your urge to come overseas to play?
The urge is huge! Basketball is what all of my energy goes into, whether that’s workouts , studying film, teaching the game , or networking for my next contract. Playing overseas is the best part because it’s where I get to enjoy the fruits of my labor from the rigorous off-season
How tough has the grind been for you? There are hundreds of guys that play semi-pro ball and haven’t had experience outside the US. How tough has it been trying to get jobs?
The grind is tough but at this point I’ve already become accustomed to the work so it’s normal to me now. Working out 2 or 3 times a day is a habit and I don’t look at the grind as something I HAVE to do, it’s something I enjoy . The overseas business can be tough & stressful to get a job at times, I’ve learned that it’s mostly about connections and who you know, getting yourself in front of the right coaches and GMs at the right time.
Your love for the game has to be unbelievably big. You didn’t put up big stats in the NCAA or NAIA, but still are pursuing the dream. What keeps you going knowing the reality of landing job in high leagues is small?
My progress and improvement is what keeps me going! Barely playing my freshman year of college, going through an injury my next 2 seasons then choosing to leave college a season early and start my professional career and be selected as an all star my first professional season is a major jump that can be accredited to my trainer JayR strowbridge. In college I limited myself mentally of what was possible to achieve, JayR showed me that if we worked smart and consistently on the right things that there would be no limits and it shows. Also other guys I train with like Lamonte Turner show me that it’s possible to work your way up the ranks very quickly (going from Slovenia to Finland then Eurocup in Serbia in just one season) I learned valuable lessons from all my past seasons about myself and what I need to work on and that’s what makes me confident moving forward.
You got your first pro experience with BC Uprise RD (Dominican Rep.-United Cup) playing the United Cup Superior averaging 7.3ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 37.5%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT-3 (83.3%). What memories will you always have form that first opportunity?
My first actual experience abroad was playing in the ‘SADA CUP’ against Armenia , Syria , and Irans national teams (Armenia would later go on to win the FIBA European championship for small countries with NBA coach Rex Kalamian). This is an experience I will never forget , the arena was sold out , cameras everywhere broadcast on their national tv. It was the exact environment I had envisioned for so many years ! This game and tournament also gave me a whole lot of confidence moving forward ! I had just finished my junior season of NAIA averaging 8.7 pts and 3 assisst but against the national teams with guys who play pro in top leagues I averaged 13 pts. and 8 assists , this once again showed me no limits! And also how much the style of play plays a factor into our performance . Playing in transition with pick and rolls is a perfect fit for my style of play and I was able to thrive in that environment. The competitive level is massive, because there are so many players that want the same thing as you.
What do you believe separates your game and character from others?
What separates me first is my character, discipline, and consistency. I show up every day to work and be the best version of myself. I lead with my actions but also vocally giving my team the best chance to win. Another thing that separates me is that I know myself, I’m not a guy who tries to go out there and do too much. I instead focus on excelling in my role ( knock down open shots, create easy buckets for my teammates and myself in transition and p&r, and picking up 94ft on defense being a pest.
) Your second pro experience was with Super Cable Grecia (Costa Rica-LSB). You averaged 14.5ppg, 3.2rpg, 4.1apg, 2.4spg, 2FGP: 40.5%, 3FGP: 31.4%, FT: 59.4%. This was your break through because you got many minutes and put up big stats. What do you feel did your game gain most from this experience?
I feel that I gained a lot of clarity on my game. I was able to learn how to pick my spots and narrow in on my role and how to help the team win games. Also just adjusting to life in another country, being able to set routines and good habits in place, making sure I get my workouts in, stretching, film and just enjoying time with teammates.
Let’s talk about your game. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would bets fit the bill?
Either Tremont Waters or Facundo Campazzo, because they excel in their role. Using speed to their advantage getting downhill and creating for others with flashy passes, high IQ for the game and also just being that leader and spark plug for the team.
You can fill the stat sheet at ease. What is your biggest strength?
My speed and shiftiness, It’s hard to stay in-front of me and I can get to the rim whenever I want to – whether that’s to create for others or myself.
Your three pointer is a work in progress. Do you feel like you can become a consistent shooter at 40%?
I do, I’ve done it before in the Dominican Republic. For me personally it’s just about taking the right 3 pointers. Last season I found myself having to throw up a lot of threes at the end of the buzzer because of the shot clock, whenever I have my feet set and shoot in rhythm I knock them down with ease. This is something I’ve worked on heavily with JayR the past 2 seasons because in college I definitely struggled from 3. In the Dominican Republic last summer I shot 40% and was the percentage leader. The focus this summer has been extending the range while making shots consistently. That way players have to step up and now I can use my speed and pace.
What kind of a defender are you at the moment and what kind of defender do you still want to become?
Defense is one of my strengths but I always feel that I can improve on it. There was a 2 week stretch last season where I averaged 5 steals a game, just by using my anticipation and speed making the offense uncomfortable. My focus this summer is on improving my defense has been cardio, being able to pick up 94ft the whole game without getting tired.
On what other areas of your game are you working on most now so you can continue to become the best you?
Consistently knocking down long range 3s in the pick and roll when the defense goes under. My free throw last season was the lowest percentage I’ve ever shot from the free throw so creating a routine that feels comfortable and that I can repeat has been a focus. The last thing has been defense being able to guard bigger wings and get under them and make them uncomfortable. Attacking in transition, pick and roll passing reads , floaters are all things I work on daily but it’s more of just keeping these things that I already do well, sharp.
You played 3 years at AUM from 2018-2021 playing a total of 45 NCAA 2 games. How difficult was this time? What benefits could you take from it?
This was definitely a big learning period in my life on and off the court. Not playing much my first year then finding a few successful games later in the season I learned that I consistently have to show up every single day be disciplined and create habits that take me to where I want to be. The next 2 seasons I had a bad knee injury that really showed me the importance of taking care of my body. Those 2 seasons of dealing with an injury really built a lot of mental toughness in me with all the rehab playing while hurt and just the struggle of not feeling like yourself on the court. This experience prompted me to learn more about my body , my nutrition, daily yoga, mobility and sleep habits.
You then took a few steps back playing your senior year at Blue Mountain College (NAIA) averaging 8.7ppg, 2.8rpg, 3.2apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 43.5%, 3PT: 22.7%, FT: 76.3%. Your minutes went from 10 to 28. How did your game grow in that last year?
My year at Blue Mountain first showed me that I needed to become a knock down 3pt shooter. Second that the level of play was not that different and we actually beat a couple of teams that I had lost to previously at AUM. My game grew so much in the summer time from AUM to Blue Mountain. I was working out 3 times a day, changed my whole diet and everything. I was in pick up games with pros from my city and played well. All of the growth and hard work caused me to have really high expectations going into NAIA so when I didn’t get the results I wanted I had to reflect and find out the reasons so I didn’t have to go through this again. The first thing was knowing my role and focusing in on being the best at that role for my team. Another thing was picking a school that fits my play of style, If I know that I excel in ball screen and transition then being in a system that plays a different style probably isn’t the best fit.
How did head coach Jermael Bingham groom and prepare you best for a professional career?
Coach Bingham showed us that we had to work and the work had to be consistent. He didn’t let us cut corners and always held us to a high standard, on the court and in the classroom. He always preached to COMPETE day in and day out, even on those days your body is tired or you don’t feel like it and that mindset definitely translated to my professional career.
Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Tariq Meredith?
Tariq is my guy but I didn’t lose many 1 on 1 drills at Blue Mountain. I will leave it at that
Who is the toughest player that you have ever faced that reached the NBA?
JayR strowbridge for sure. I’ve played with and against many guys from the city who played in the nba, g league , champions league, eurocup , etc. , but I can play perfect defense on JayR and he will still find a way to knock down the shot
Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?
Darryl Jones (AUM) Jason Landman (Grecia) Kobe Brown (AAU) Kira Lewis (AAU) Ryan Sanders (Aum / blue mountain pre season lol)
Please list your NBA Mount Rushmore?
Lebron MJ Kobe Kyrie Irving
Who is your GOAT and why?
My personal GOAT is Kyrie Irving because he has mastered every single offensive skill and literally has no offensive weakness in his game and he produces on every team he goes to.
Did you see the sequel to the classic coming to America? Shouldn’t they have left it alone?
I haven’t seen it! I used to be a big movie guy but every time I sit down to relax I find myself watching film. I recently got into watching boxing and UFC but other than that I sadly never make time to watch movies anymore.
Thanks Jalen for the chat.
German Hoops 