Taylor Booth: A rare combination of talent, basketball IQ, athleticism and the right inner circle

TAYLOR BOOTH: ONE OF THE SPECIAL ONES

Last week, a college coach asked me a simple question: How good is Taylor Booth?

Before I gave him my opinion, I wanted to educate him about Taylor. Because if you want to understand where this young player is headed, you have to understand the people, experiences and environment that have helped shape her.

I explained that her mother played in the WNBA. I explained that Taylor is an elite lacrosse player. I explained that she was part of NJ RISE, the best grammar school team in the state. I explained that she had the benefit of two of New Jersey’s outstanding grammar school coaches in Jenny Green and Bob Green. They are the best in the business.

And I explained that she played alongside Ava Alfaro, a player I believe is the next mega-star in New Jersey girls basketball.

In other words, Taylor Booth has a dream inner circle. One that is unmatched for a player this young.

So, how good is Taylor Booth?

I believe she is going to become a household name. I believe she has the potential to go down as one of the special ones.

But the story of Taylor Booth is about much more than potential.

Great players understand the moment

Great players understand the moment. Taylor demonstrated that when she scored the winning basket at the buzzer against East Brunswick High School in the fall league.

But great players do more than make the big shot. They elevate the people around them.

Taylor Booth is no box-score junkie. She does the dirty work, makes the right play, competes defensively and then delivers the show-stopping moment when her team needs it.

She is humble. She is playful. More importantly, she is a winning teammate.

In terms of humility and being team-oriented, no player’s personality reminds me more of MICKEY D ALL AMERICAN, Addy Nyemchek.

Taylor understands that basketball is about the team, not just her. She embraces coaching. There is no ego. There is no demand for special treatment. This is a young player who simply loves playing the game and being around her friends.

In many ways, she is the perfect NJ RISE player: win a lot of games, get better together and have fun doing it. There are no crazy parents or drama.

That is a special combination.

The development is real

I haven’t seen much of Taylor in recent months because lacrosse and family obligations have taken up much of her time. But I watched her in the fall league, and I came away impressed.

To be honest, while the competition was older, it wasn’t always particularly competitive. Still, one thing was clear: Taylor has grown as a basketball player.

She is an animal on defense. She can score at all three levels. And her basketball IQ is off the charts.

That last part matters.

Jenny Green and Bob Green understand that developing a player’s basketball IQ and competitive nature is just as important as developing skills. They teach players to read the game, make decisions and compete.

Taylor is benefiting from that kind of coaching.

The right environment doesn’t guarantee greatness. But when a talented, athletic young player is surrounded by coaches who understand how to develop the whole basketball player, the possibilities are exciting.

And make no mistake: Taylor Booth may be one of the best athletes to arrive in the Shore Conference next year.

The combination of athleticism, skill and basketball IQ is rare. Taylor has all three.

The best part may be who she is

We spend so much time discussing offers, rankings, statistics and recruiting that we sometimes forget what makes a player truly special.

Taylor reminds me.

She loves the game. She loves her teammates. She listens. She competes. She is willing to do the things that don’t always show up in a highlight.

Those qualities matter at every level of basketball. They matter in college. They matter in life.

And they are why I believe Taylor’s future is so bright

A rare combination of talent, basketball IQ, athleticism and the right inner circle

So, how good is Taylor Booth?

Let’s go back to the college coach who asked me that question.

I believe Taylor Booth has the potential to play at the highest level. I believe she is going to make people take notice. And I believe she has the foundation to become a winning player wherever basketball takes her.

But I also believe something more important.

She can be a winner on the court, off the court and at home. She can be a great player without losing sight of the teammate, friend and person she is becoming.

Taylor Booth is surrounded by an extraordinary basketball inner circle. She has the athletic gifts. She has the skills. She has the IQ. And she has the humility to keep learning.

She is one of the best right now. FACTS!

And if you ask me, we are only beginning to see what Taylor Booth can become.

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