Fresno State Athletics
Bulldogs Add Junior Center Shawn Taylor
7/27/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
July 27, 2006
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State head men's basketball coach Steve Cleveland has announced the signing of 6-11, 220-pound junior center Shawn Taylor (Unadilla, Ga.).
Taylor joins the Bulldogs from Chipola College (Fla.), where he competed last season after starting his collegiate career at Alabama.
"We're very elated to get a big man so late in the year," said Cleveland, who enters his second season at Fresno State. "Shawn can run the floor, he's long, can rebound and contest shots. He will have a presence in the post, especially against the big men. Shawn has yet to realize his potential as he is still growing into his body. With his development over the last few months, we're excited to help him realize his talents. He simply gives us the type of player that we don't have in the program right now."
In 2005-06, Taylor helped guide the Indians to a 27-3 record and a Florida State Junior College runner-up finish. Playing in 27 games, the JucoJunction's third team preseason All-American averaged 3.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game while shooting 62.9 percent from the field.
Taylor competed at Alabama as a redshirt freshman in 2004-05, averaging 1.6 points and 1.4 rebounds per game in 11 contests.
Taylor played at two different high schools during his prep years. During his senior year at Perry High School, he averaged 18 points, 11 rebounds and 10 blocks. Playing his first three years at Dooly County High School, Taylor averaged 17 points, 10 rebounds and 11 blocks as a junior. He boasts a career-best prep mark of 21 blocks, which he recorded against Wilcox County.
Taylor played AAU ball with Team Georgia and helped the 17- and 16-under teams to AAU State championships. He also made the all-rookie team at the 18-under World Amateur Basketball Championships.
While playing overseas in France with his AAU team, Taylor was a Nike All-American camp participant and was a top 100 finalist for the McDonald's All-American game.
Described as a great leaper, shot blocker and rebounder who owns better than a 7-foot wing span, Taylor attracted interest from Duquense, New Orleans, UAB and Georgia Tech.
Taylor is eligible to suit up for the Bulldogs for the 2006-07 season.
