Catching up with the Brooklyn Nets’ first ever rookie, Tyshawn Taylor

Hoops Habit recently caught up with Tyshawn Taylor, a superstar at the University of Kansas and the Brooklyn Nets’ first ever rookie.

Tyshawn Taylor was a sensational college basketball player, leading the Kansas Jayhawks to the Final Four in 2012. The dominant season ultimately led him to be drafted with the 41st overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, becoming the first Brooklyn Nets rookie in the process.

Six years later, he’s no longer in the NBA, but he is still playing basketball at a high level in Turkey. Taylor has been playing in the second division but eventually hopes to play in the first division.

"“Their first division is probably the best league in Europe,” he said. “I think I can get to that first division, my agent is talking to a couple of teams.”"

His time at Kansas was over six years ago, but he remembers everything. His senior season as a Jayhawk was the reason why he got drafted.

"“I had to work into being the guy; I played with such good players being there. When you go to Kansas, it’s kind of a wait-your-turn system. Frank Mason waits four years, Devonte’ Graham waits four years. My last year was the time to be the man. Based off my last year is why I kinda got drafted; Sherron Collins passed the torch to me, Mario Chalmers passed the torch to him.”"

That season was a special one, a year Taylor says the team overachieved. His Kansas ties run deep because he still keeps in touch with a lot of his college teammates, especially on social media, which makes doing so easier.

"“Our team at Kansas was like a big old family. I came in with a recruiting class of seven people. I talk to the Morris twins all the time, Thomas [Robinson] a lot, Mario [Chalmers] a little.”"

As young men there are so many things to learn at that age, they learned together.

"T-Rob [Thomas Robinson] lost his mom, his grandma, college. You learn life with each other for a bit.”"

After the 2012 NCAA Tournament, which saw Kansas go all the way to the championship game, college was over. The NBA was next.

Taylor met with almost every team at the NBA Draft Combine, and said his best meeting was with Avery Johnson, the head coach of the Nets at the time.

Even though a college prospect may field a lot of interest and hit it off in one meeting (as Taylor did with the Nets), there is still uncertainty.

"“My agent was telling me, ‘You had a great workout for Chicago. They need a point guard like you.’ Chicago came and they picked Marquis Teague.”"

While there aren’t any hard feelings, Marquis Teague became a symbol of irony for Taylor.

"“He beat me in the national championship, then he gets drafted for me, then he gets traded for me. But he’s a great player man.”"

After getting passed over by the Chicago Bulls with the 29th overall pick in the draft, he knew it could be a long night.

"“[My agent] knew that if I didn’t get picked at 29, you could sit here till 60.”"

Thankfully, this wouldn’t be the case. Twelve picks later, with the 41st overall pick, the Portland Trail Blazers drafted him.

"“I wasn’t even paying attention when I got picked; it was Portland and I was confused. My agent called me and said we got Avery Johnson on the other line. I saw on the TV that they said Portland would trade me to Brooklyn.”"

The team he wound up with was almost meant to be. He grew up in Hoboken, New Jersey, right outside of New York City.

"“When I saw I was going to Brooklyn the excitement went from ‘I made it’ to ‘I made it and I am home.’ Everything was exciting.”"

He accomplished his dream of making the NBA, but this would only be the beginning of the work. The Brooklyn Nets were now in contention mode after moving to a new arena, trading for Joe Johnson and re-signing Deron Williams. 

"“We get to training camp, and the big piece is Joe [Johnson.] Even though it wasn’t a new team, it felt new. Guys are trying to figure each other out.”"

There were no training wheels for the rookie, Taylor had everything come at him fast. Maybe a little too fast.

He saw the coach that vouched for him get fired two months into the season. He was also a 22-year-old who was now playing in the NBA in essentially his backyard.

"“Personally in the two months [before Johnson got fired], I was still learning. Also being an NBA player in my city, rookie mistakes. Partying, tweeting out at 3 a.m.”"

While that was negative, there was also a lot of positive. Taylor was briefly a starter for a contending team at one point. He led the Nets to a victory against the dominant Indiana Pacers in February. He scored 12 points in 34 minutes that night on the road.

"“When D-Will went down they ended up starting me, and keeping C.J. [Watson] in the bench unit.”"

He may not have played much, but when he did, he was productive. P.J. Carlesimo had little time for teaching. He was now the interim coach with no job security. He had to win.

"“It was just an older team, and the focus was we had to win now. I was with MarShon [Brooks] and [Andray] Blatche every day my rookie year. I think Avery had a lot to do with me being on the Nets.”"

The Nets would make the playoffs that season, and Taylor would see what a playoff environment was like in his rookie year.

"“Every game was exciting,” he said. “You could feel the difference between the regular season and the playoffs.”"

They would ultimately lose in Game 7 to the Chicago Bulls, a series Taylor thinks they should have won.

"“Playing against a team we should have beat. Nate [Robinson] was talking [expletive] and clowning around.”"

What were some of those jokes Robinson was making?

"“Making jokes about Kris Humphries.”"

Then came the summer. This summer would be the most memorable in Brooklyn Nets history. They acquired Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Jason Terry. Later, Deron Williams would organize an informal workout in Malibu, California. Most of the team would attend, and Taylor was able to spend intimate time with some of the greatest players of all time.

"“That was cool, I’m like in my second year in the NBA, and I am eating at Nobu, smoking cigars with Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. I respect every moment I got to share with those guys.”"

He would only spend half of the season in Brooklyn after he was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans, who then waived him. His time with the Nets was short, but special. He was coached by some of the sharpest minds in league history.

"“I played for Avery [Johnson], P.J. [Carlesimo] and half a season with Jason Kidd. For me as a young player to be coached by them. I am a sponge.”"

He created life-long bonds with some of those teammates in Brooklyn as well, still being good friends with MarShon Brooks and Andray Blatche,

There were plenty of ups and downs, but Taylor loved every second of his time with the Nets as Brooklyn’s first ever rookie.

"” Those were the best two years of my life being in the NBA.”"