BOSTON, MA – Does the name Jack Taylor ring a bell? It might considering it’s the name of a living college basketball legend. Taylor is a junior guard at the Division III Grinnell College (Grinnell, Iowa) who is currently averaging 90 points after his first two games. Yes, you read that right. Taylor is averaging 90 points.
Last season Taylor did the unthinkable, scoring 138 points in a November win against Faith Baptist Bible College (Ankeny, Iowa.) Taylor’s 138 points set the NCAA record for scoring in any level of college basketball. Not only did Taylor hit triple digits last season, which is remarkable to say the least, he was at it again nearly a year later Sunday. In a 144-99 victory against Crossroads College (Rochester, Minn.) the 5-foot-10 guard scored 109 points on 35 of 70 shots.
“Just like last year, I couldn’t have done this without my teammates,” Taylor said, according to the Associated Press. “I give so much credit to them. This truly was a team effort. I’m thankful for the program and the people I have playing with me.”
As a fellow Division III athlete, I would like to congratulate Jack Taylor for his legendary accomplishments on the basketball court. As a Division III athlete, I know how much effort goes in off the court with little reward nationally. Division III athletes don’t get the national attention or athletic scholarships the Andrew Wiggins or Jadeveon Clowneys do. We just play our sport for the love of the game and that’s it. That’s what makes Division III athletics so special.
Coming from a person who just played his last game at Western New England University in Springfield, Mass. Saturday, you should cherish every second you can while playing the sport you love because it doesn’t last forever.
