The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

HIS collegiate basketball season has come to an end but Bahamian player D’Shon Taylor continues to excel in showcase events as he prepares for the next step.

The former Norfolk State University guard was recently honoured as a first team All-Tournament selection at the 2016 Portsmouth Basketball Summit in Virginia.

The event is attended by NBA, NBA D-League and international representatives and during its drills features instruction from professionals in the industry.

“D’Shon just completed his college basketball career at Norfolk State in Virginia, and is now pursuing a career playing professional,” said Camp Director Mark McNeil. “His great showing at the College Senior basketball showcase has his pursuit of a professional career off to a great start.”

It was the third edition of the Portsmouth Basketball Summit, which is held in conjunction with the highly-regarded Portsmouth Invitational but is limited to players who did not proceed to the larger event.

 Following Portsmouth, Taylor also participated in the Gotham Hoops Invitational, presented by Overtime. The event, also in its third edition, featured over 30 college seniors in Brooklyn, New York.

The invitational offers seniors a chance to compete in public and private settings throughout the day to showcase their talents in front of professional agents, coaches, executives and scouts. Since the event started in 2014, alumni have competed in leagues across more than 20 countries.

A former R M Bailey Pacer, Taylor recently finished his two-year career for the Spartans as a junior college transfer. In his senior season he appeared in 33 games and made 29 starts, averaging 13.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.2.

He helped led the Spartans to a 17-17 overall record this year and a 12-4 MEAC mark, good for a tie for second in the regular season standings.

 In his junior season he averaged 13 points and five rebounds per game. He shot 45 per cent from the field and 25 per cent from three-point range in both seasons.

 Taylor finished his career 15th overall at Norfolk State in three pointers made (94) as well as 16th in attempts (265). His percentage landed him 17th overall.

Following his high school career, in which he led the Pacers to a Government Secondary Schools Sports Association and Hugh Campbell title in 2011, Taylor spent his collegiate freshman season at John Brown University where he averaged 9.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per games.

He was also an All-Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament selection. He spent the next two seasons on the move when he transferred to Garden City Community College as a sophomore.

He averaged 7.4 points and 3.2 rebounds per game in less than 18 minutes per outing. The following season he was a permanent fixture at Norfolk State.