Yes, I know Dante Taylor won the skills competition at the McDonald’s All-American competition. He’s understandibly proud.
Tonight the POWERADE Jam Fest was great because I won the skills challenge! It felt amazing to take the title because I was representing my family, friends and hometown on national television. It was also a great event to participate in because this was the first year in Jam Fest history that they had the skills challenge. I told everyone, including my teammates, from the beginning that I was going to win the skills challenge and they didn’t believe me. They acted all surprised because a “big guy” isn’t usually expected to win. I showed them all tonight!
He also swam with the dolphins at the Miami Seaquarium, and “worked” at a McDonalds. Not to mention a trip to a Ronald McDonald House.
The game itself is tonight at 8 pm on ESPN. The rebroadcast of the Jam Fest is in the hour before hand.
Next Thursday will be the Capital Classic All-Star game, held at American U. Pitt signees Talib Zanna and Lamar Patterson are on the rosters for that one. This one has plenty of other Big East commits.
Ummm…. you beat Notre Dame, didn’t they finish like 9th in the Big East?
Nice try NITters.
Darryl Burrows, the co-head coach for the East squad, is impressed — and he has coached enough state championship teams at Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Dillard to know a great talent when he sees one.
“Dante has a lot of potential to be a great team player,” Burrows said. “One thing I like about him is that he isn’t high maintenance. If you need him to go down low and just focus on rebounding, he’ll do it. If you need him to score, he’ll do it. If you need him to come away from the basket and provide help defending the perimeter, he’ll do it.”
There are still a lot of things for Taylor to work on, but the White Plains, N.Y., native is not waiting to get to Pittsburgh to start the process.
“I’m still trying to improve my abilities with my back to the basket,” Taylor said. “And I’m trying to improve the consistency of my jump shot. It’s pretty good right now, but it can always be better.”
Burrows would agree, and he added that Taylor is a good fit for Pitt and should become an impact player in the Big East.
“The style of play in the Big East has changed so much,” Burrows said. “He fits in with the new style of big men coming through the conference. As he gets older and bigger and becomes more of a complete player, he will be fun to watch. I’m going to be watching him for sure.”
“It was frustrating to see them lose and especially the way it happened,” Taylor said of Pitt allowing Villanova’s last-second, game-winning shot. “Hopefully, the guys coming in can help the veterans get the program into the Final Four next season.
“I know they are upset right now, but they will work through it together. One of the great things about Pittsburgh is the family atmosphere in the program. The guys are always together, and they help each other get through adversity.”
Taylor said he is excited about playing in the Big East.
“It’s the most competitive conference in the nation, and there’s very little separating the best team from the worst team,” Taylor said. “So I have to be at my best every night. I can’t wait for the season to begin.”
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Looks like a real winner!
Taylor is the only Pitt commit for this class not to sign a LOI yet? Any word on that?
Darnell Dodson committed to play for Cal at Memphis after JUCO. Remember him.
Another link to a story on Taylor, there is some video too.
