“His greatest strengths are his ability to score and his basketball IQ,” Lucas Taylor’s high school coach, Tilden Brill, says. | Unsplash
“His greatest strengths are his ability to score and his basketball IQ,” Lucas Taylor’s high school coach, Tilden Brill, says. | Unsplash
Wake Forest native Lucas Taylor will join the Wake Forest University basketball program in the fall of 2021.
Taylor was originally slated to begin at Clemson University, but after being released from the signing commitment on March 23, he committed to Wake Forest.
Taylor’s Heritage High School coach, Tilden Brill, commended Taylor’s strong abilities.
“I really enjoyed being Lucas's high school coach," Brill told Winston Salem Times. "I knew when he played varsity as a freshman that he'd be a special player, he has however exceeded all expectations with the type of person and athlete he is.”
Brill is confident that Taylor will continue his success at Wake.
“Wake Forest gains an outstanding person, an awesome family in the Taylor's and a basketball player that can score at all three levels, wants to defend, and has a high basketball IQ. Lucas is a self-made basketball player and his work ethic is second to none.”
The 6-foot-6 wingman chose the Demon Deacons for a variety of reasons.
“Wake being close to home is a big thing for me. Wake Forest is one of the top universities in the country in terms of academics, and the Wake Forest fan base is really passionate about basketball,” he told 24/7 Sports.
Taylor also spoke excitedly about coach Steve Forbes to 24/7 Sports, saying, “I know they love coach Forbes and what he’s building there. I trust him and believe we are going to build something great.”
More than 20 schools hoped to bring Taylor to their teams, including Georgia Tech, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Marquette, Providence, UConn and Vanderbilt, among others.
Heading to Wake Forest, Taylor brings a record of strong court stats, averaging 27 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.1 steals per game during his Heritage High School career.
With four more scholarships to fill, Taylor hopes to have other top players join the Demon Deacons for the coming year.
“I’m excited. We’re looking to win this year, and that’s everyone’s mentality,” Taylor said.
Brill also noted that Taylor joins another Raleigh-area player at Wake Forest.
"I'm excited to see Lucas paired with another guard from the Raleigh area in Carter Whitt," Brill said. "I'll expect to see a highly motivated, hard-working athlete who is never satisfied with his performance. He's ready to play at the next level and I think is going to be someone who will make an immediate impact when he sets foot on campus."
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