Ethan Taylor Named Team Captain For 2023-24
10/31/2023 10:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Junior guard Ethan Taylor has been named team captain for Air Force men's basketball for the 2023-24 season.
The Houston, Texas, native burst onto the scene as a freshman, averaging 8.6 points and 3.7 assists per game. He earned Mountain West Freshman of the Week five times in 2021-22. Taylor also recorded the first-ever triple-double in program history back in 2021 against Nevada.
Taylor is a two-year starter at guard for the Falcons, having started 58 of 59 career games played. As a sophomore, he averaged 7.1 points per game and led the Falcons with 96 assists. Taylor was second on the team with 43 three's made.
Taylor took a moment from his busy schedule to talk about being named team captain, some of the work he's put in during the offseason and his expectations for the 2023-24 Falcons.
Q: What does it mean to be selected as a team captain?
A: It means a lot. Having Coach Scott and my teammates trust in me, that I can be counted upon to lead the team, means a lot to me.
Q: As an upperclassman did you feel added responsibilities coming into this season, even before you were named team captain?
A: Definitely. With no seniors on this team, we as a junior class know that there are elevated expectations on our shoulders as the upperclassmen. We understand that and are motivated to set the example for the younger guys.
Q: How have you approached the off-season as a junior, compared to your freshman and sophomore seasons?
A: This season, I've worked on being more detail-oriented. Coming into my first two seasons, I was trying to become better as a basketball player. This year, I'm just trying to be better at what my role will be. Being a better shooter, a better cutter, making the oppositions' defense have to work so we have a better chance to win.
Q: What were some things you did this off-season to improve upon?
A: I shot a lot of threes. I worked on getting my shot off quicker and setting my feet better. I also worked on quick drives. I've been more of a mover and shaker, more of a distributor going back to high school. But I've been working on being more of a threat on the offensive end.
Q: You were one of two players selected to represent Air Force at the Mountain West Basketball Media Days in Las Vegas. How was that experience and does that help you get ready for the season?
A: It was definitely cool. I had never experienced something like that. It was cool to be around and see all the other teams in one setting and get to represent Air Force Basketball. The one thing that helped was that I got to spend some time with coach Scott, in a one-on-one setting, to pick his brain on his expectations for the team and ask about tips on what I could do to help make the team better. I took a lot from the time I had out there.
Q: What do you like about the 2023-24 team?
A: I like that we have a lot of potential. I like that we have a lot of guys, who have not gotten a chance to play much, have the opportunity to have a big impact on the team this season. I also like the sense of family with our entire group. I feel like this team has bonded very fast and I feel that will help us as we progress through this season.
Q: What are your team goals and expectations for the season?
A: We'd like to build this team towards winning more in February. That's been a big goal for us and one I'm interested in achieving. I'd like for us to just keep improving as a team. Just work toward that goal that coach Scott has for us of being a better team as we progress.
The Houston, Texas, native burst onto the scene as a freshman, averaging 8.6 points and 3.7 assists per game. He earned Mountain West Freshman of the Week five times in 2021-22. Taylor also recorded the first-ever triple-double in program history back in 2021 against Nevada.
Taylor is a two-year starter at guard for the Falcons, having started 58 of 59 career games played. As a sophomore, he averaged 7.1 points per game and led the Falcons with 96 assists. Taylor was second on the team with 43 three's made.
Taylor took a moment from his busy schedule to talk about being named team captain, some of the work he's put in during the offseason and his expectations for the 2023-24 Falcons.
Q: What does it mean to be selected as a team captain?
A: It means a lot. Having Coach Scott and my teammates trust in me, that I can be counted upon to lead the team, means a lot to me.
Q: As an upperclassman did you feel added responsibilities coming into this season, even before you were named team captain?
A: Definitely. With no seniors on this team, we as a junior class know that there are elevated expectations on our shoulders as the upperclassmen. We understand that and are motivated to set the example for the younger guys.
Q: How have you approached the off-season as a junior, compared to your freshman and sophomore seasons?
A: This season, I've worked on being more detail-oriented. Coming into my first two seasons, I was trying to become better as a basketball player. This year, I'm just trying to be better at what my role will be. Being a better shooter, a better cutter, making the oppositions' defense have to work so we have a better chance to win.
Q: What were some things you did this off-season to improve upon?
A: I shot a lot of threes. I worked on getting my shot off quicker and setting my feet better. I also worked on quick drives. I've been more of a mover and shaker, more of a distributor going back to high school. But I've been working on being more of a threat on the offensive end.
Q: You were one of two players selected to represent Air Force at the Mountain West Basketball Media Days in Las Vegas. How was that experience and does that help you get ready for the season?
A: It was definitely cool. I had never experienced something like that. It was cool to be around and see all the other teams in one setting and get to represent Air Force Basketball. The one thing that helped was that I got to spend some time with coach Scott, in a one-on-one setting, to pick his brain on his expectations for the team and ask about tips on what I could do to help make the team better. I took a lot from the time I had out there.
Q: What do you like about the 2023-24 team?
A: I like that we have a lot of potential. I like that we have a lot of guys, who have not gotten a chance to play much, have the opportunity to have a big impact on the team this season. I also like the sense of family with our entire group. I feel like this team has bonded very fast and I feel that will help us as we progress through this season.
Q: What are your team goals and expectations for the season?
A: We'd like to build this team towards winning more in February. That's been a big goal for us and one I'm interested in achieving. I'd like for us to just keep improving as a team. Just work toward that goal that coach Scott has for us of being a better team as we progress.
Players Mentioned
Guard
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