Know Your Team: Denzell Taylor

Moncton Magic

6'7

Forward

From Brampton, Ontario

In only his second NBL Canada season, Denzell Taylor is showing signs that he could become one of the league's biggest defensive players.

With a 35-3 high school record with St Benedict's Prep in Newark, New Jersey, Taylor was recruited to Virginian team the ODU Monarchs, where he played for four years. In his time with the Monarchs he proved himself to be a big rebounder and a highly accurate shooter from the field.

His ODU career highlights include three consecutive team Defensive Player of the Year awards, being named to the 2017 Conference USA All-Defensive Team, semi-final finishes at the College Basketball Invitational and National Basketball Invitational tournaments and finishing as the Monarchs' tenth all-time leading rebounder.

Elsewhere, Taylor played for Canada at the 2013 FIBA Under-19 World Championships, alongside Trey Lyles of the Denver Nuggets and Tyler Ennis, currently in the EuroLeague. He averaged 3.9 points and rebounds per game as Canada went on to finish sixth in the competition.

In his first year as a professional, Taylor joined the Moncton Magic, and quickly proved himself to be a big defensive prospect and had four double-digit scoring finishes in his debut season.

He rejoined the Magic in 2018, where he continues to play a big role in the team's game plan, and with averages of 5.3 points and 8.8 rebounds after 22 appearances in the season, is continuing to show the strengths that made him a valuable asset to the team.

Picture: odusports.com