Diamond Taylor to Wisconsin

[Dish]

I saw him play last Friday night in person when my high school alma mater upset St. Joe's. After seeing him play, I thought he would have been a nice addition.

http://yourseason.suntimes.com/recruiting/830878,030608taylor.article

According to Illinois Wolves club basketball coach Mike Mullins, St. Joseph junior Diamond Taylor gave a verbal commitment to Wisconsin late Thursday night.

Taylor, a 6-3 guard, chose the Badgers over Notre Dame, Bradley, Marquette and Southern Illinois.

Taylor vaulted into the top 10 of the junior class with his impressive performance last summer playing for the Wolves on the club basketball circuit.

He will join former St. Joseph teammates Tony Freeman (Iowa) and Demetri McCamey (Illinois) in the Big Ten.

[nyg]

Hopefully the staff will continue its efforts for a SG in 2009.  They are in contention for Maurice Creek, Naji Hibbert and with any assists from Tyshawn Taylor, Dominic Cheek.  The SG slot will go along with Nick Williams and Scott C. I believe they have four scholarships for 2009, one of which is already a verbal from Eric Williams. 

[Big Papi]

Does that take them out of the running for Jamil Wilson?  I thought I read on the other board that they might have received another verbal a few days back (on Dodds board) from a recruit I never heard of.  Or does this mean that a transfer is likely and they are still in on WIlson?

[1990Warrior]

Was he really top 10 and was that top 10 overall or top 10 guard?  I saw he was a three star on scout.

[🏀]

Was he really top 10 and was that top 10 overall or top 10 guard?  I saw he was a three star on scout.

I'm thinking Top 10 in Illinois.

[Phi Iota Gamma 84]

Does that take them out of the running for Jamil Wilson?  I thought I read on the other board that they might have received another verbal a few days back (on Dodds board) from a recruit I never heard of.  Or does this mean that a transfer is likely and they are still in on WIlson?

They have one schollie left.

[nyg]

He is ranked by Rivals as #67 overall and 14th ranked SG.  Not ranked in either category by Scouts, has a three star.

[bma725]

Was he really top 10 and was that top 10 overall or top 10 guard?  I saw he was a three star on scout.

I'm thinking Top 10 in Illinois.

Correct.  He's a decent prospect, but right now that's it.  He doesn't have the ball handling skills to be a PG, he's not a particularly great shooter, and he's inconsistent.  When he's good, he can be very good.  But when he's off, he's almost invisible.  Lots of people who have seen him play this year have come away unimpressed.

[Dish]

As mentioned, I saw him a week ago today. I think, if I recall correctly, he ended up with 22 points, but he had a bunch of turnovers. He had a rough first half, a few turnovers. He never seemed to get into the flow of the game, but he did get hot in the second half, scored on like three straight possesions.

St. Joe's presses the entire game, and defensively I thought he would be better. Not as quick as I thought he would be.

I still think he'll be a nice D-1 player, not all conference Big 10, but a decent high major conference point guard.

[1990Warrior]

Was he really top 10 and was that top 10 overall or top 10 guard?  I saw he was a three star on scout.

I'm thinking Top 10 in Illinois.

Correct.  He's a decent prospect, but right now that's it.  He doesn't have the ball handling skills to be a PG, he's not a particularly great shooter, and he's inconsistent.  When he's good, he can be very good.  But when he's off, he's almost invisible.  Lots of people who have seen him play this year have come away unimpressed.

That makes me feel better.

[Fullodds]

As mentioned, I saw him a week ago today. I think, if I recall correctly, he ended up with 22 points, but he had a bunch of turnovers. He had a rough first half, a few turnovers. He never seemed to get into the flow of the game, but he did get hot in the second half, scored on like three straight possesions.

St. Joe's presses the entire game, and defensively I thought he would be better. Not as quick as I thought he would be.

I still think he'll be a nice D-1 player, not all conference Big 10, but a decent high major conference point guard.

Diamond is no point guard.  He is a wing player right now.  More of a scorer than a shooter.  Adds athleticism to the Badgers but no way is he a point guard right now.

[Dish]

Agreed he's not a PG right now, but I figured he would play that in college, based on his size. He'll fill out physically, no doubt, but as he's built right now, he'd have a rough time at the 2 or 3 spot in college.

[New Era Warriors]

I am a huge Marquette fan and i don't believe we are losing anyone special. i have a friend that has played against him in aau leagues and tournaments and he guarded taylor everytime they played. he considers him a vastly overrated player that is weak\undersized. he doesn't have the strengh and capabilities to play in the big east. as my friend would say: " he is not a Marquette guard" the only strength he has is that he is long and athletic. my high school that i attend is in the same conference as st. joes (his high school) they have a very good team, but he is not worth all the hype. we are not losing anyone special. in my opinion and many other's opinions, he is not very good...
GO MARQUETTE!!

[Keeyan Half Court Dunks]

As a St. Joes alum all I can say is that if he picked the Badgers a St. Joes education isn't what it used to be.

[Avenue Commons]

He'll be a good D-I player. I read an article where his dad (a HS b-ball coach) said the plan was for him to start out playing the 2 and work his way to playing the 1. Good luck to him.