Mike Taylor (basketball player) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Mike Taylor

Taylor with Turów Zgorzelec in 2014
Personal information
Born	(1986-01-21) January 21, 1986 (age 39) Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
High school	John Marshall (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
Listed height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Listed weight	188 lb (85 kg)
Career information
College	Chipola College (2004–2006) Iowa State (2006–2007)
NBA Draft	2008 / Round: 2 / Pick: 55th overall
Selected by the Portland Trail Blazers
Pro career	2007–2020
Career history
2007–2008	Idaho Stampede
2008–2009	Los Angeles Clippers
2009–2010	Crvena zvezda
2011	Iowa Energy
2011	Tezenis Verona
2011–2012	Kavala
2012–2013	Nymburk
2013	Los Angeles D-Fenders
2014	Turów Zgorzelec
2014	Yeşilgiresun Belediye
2015	Rosa Radom
2015–2016	Al Mouttahed Tripoli
2016	Al-Gharafa
2017	Anyang KGC
2019	Zhuhai Wolf Warriors
2019	Al-Nasr Benghazi
2020	Zamalek
Career highlights and awards
Korean Basketball League champion (2017) Czech League champion (2013) NBA D-League champion (2008)

Michael Rene Taylor (born January 21, 1986) is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for Chipola College and Iowa State. Mike Taylor started his professional career with the Idaho Stampede in the NBA Development League during the 2007–08 season.

He was chosen by the Portland Trail Blazers as the 55th pick in the 2008 NBA draft. This made him the first player in National Basketball Association (NBA) history to be drafted after playing in the NBA D-League. Taylor was then traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. He played with them during the 2008–09 season. He also played basketball in many countries around the world. These included China, the Czech Republic, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Poland, Qatar, Serbia, South Korea, and Turkey.

Mike Taylor's College Basketball Journey

Mike Taylor played college basketball for three seasons. He played for Chipola College from 2004 to 2006. Then, he played for Iowa State University during the 2006–07 season. At Iowa State, he was the team's top scorer, averaging 16.0 points per game.

Mike Taylor's Professional Basketball Career

Mike Taylor tries to score during a 2014 game.

Playing in the NBA

During the 2007–08 season, Mike Taylor played for the Idaho Stampede. This team was part of the NBA Development League. He averaged 14.5 points per game in 39 games. He scored 27 points in the championship game. This helped the Stampede win the NBA D-League championship in 2008.

In the 2008 NBA draft, the Portland Trail Blazers picked Taylor as the 55th player overall. This was a special moment because he was the first player drafted directly from the D-League into the NBA. The Trail Blazers got this pick from the Phoenix Suns through a trade with the Indiana Pacers. However, on draft night, Taylor was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. He signed with the Clippers on July 15, 2008. On March 25, 2009, he scored his highest NBA points in one game. He got 35 points against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The Los Angeles Clippers released Taylor on July 31, 2009.

Playing Basketball in Europe

After his time in the NBA, Taylor moved to Europe. On November 20, 2009, he signed a contract with the Serbian team Crvena zvezda. He played for them until the end of the 2009–2010 season. He joined the team to replace another player, Maurice Bailey. Due to an injury and financial issues with the club, Taylor and Crvena zvezda decided to part ways on March 13, 2012.

After playing for the Iowa Energy, he signed with the Italian team Tezenis Verona. He played 4 games in the Italian League. He averaged 7.3 points and 4 rebounds per game there. In September 2011, he signed a one-year contract with Kavala in Greece. He averaged 13.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2 assists in 22 games in the Greek championship.

On July 9, 2012, Taylor signed with Nymburk for one season. The coach was very happy about him joining the team. He said Mike was a talented player who could play both point guard and shooting guard. He also mentioned Taylor was a great defender and a good athlete. Taylor left Nymburk in January 2013.

Returning to America's D-League

On January 30, 2013, Mike Taylor joined the Los Angeles D-Fenders. This was another team in the NBA Development League.

Playing in the BAL (Basketball Africa League)

In October 2019, Taylor played for Al-Nasr Benghazi from Libya. He played in the qualifying tournaments for the Basketball Africa League (BAL). In February 2020, Taylor signed with Zamalek of Egypt. He played for them in the BAL and for the rest of the 2019–20 Super League season.

Mike Taylor's NBA Career Stats

Regular Season Games

See also

In Spanish: Mike Taylor para niños