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Lindsay Corine Taylor (born May 20, 1981 in Poway, California) is a American professional basketball player and former college player who has played in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), Ligue Féminine de Basketball (LFB), the WKBL and most recently the Polish Women's League.
In the WKBL Taylor has played for the Turkish team Botasspor Adana on two separate occasions: 2005 - 2006 and 2007. In the WNBA she has played for four teams: the Houston Comets, Phoenix Mercury, Seattle Storm and the Washington Mystics.
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Encyclopedia
Lindsay Corine Taylor (born May 20, 1981 in Poway, California) is a American professional basketball player and former college player who has played in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), Ligue Féminine de Basketball (LFB), the WKBL and most recently the Polish Women's League.
In the WKBL Taylor has played for the Turkish team Botasspor Adana on two separate occasions: 2005 - 2006 and 2007. In the WNBA she has played for four teams: the Houston Comets, Phoenix Mercury, Seattle Storm and the Washington Mystics. The last two of her terms in the WNBA were brief, the second unprecedentedly, lasting exactly one week.
In comparison to her short and uneventful tenures in the WNBA, Tyalor has enjoyed far greater success overseas, especially in the Polish Women's League, achieving a level of recognition comparable to that enjoyed by Lisa Leslie in the WNBA. Tyalor finished her first season with the highets points scored and her overall evaluation was the highest in the league. She was also awarded the Center of the Year award as well as earning a place on the 1st Team, All-Imports Team and the All-Defensive Team.
Taylor is well known for her tall and slender frame of 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m). This has made her the tallest player in UC Santa Barbara women's basketball history and she is one of four players, including Katie Feenstra, Zheng Haixia and Maria Stepanova, tied for second tallest person to ever play in the WNBA. Only Margo Dydek, at 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m), is taller than she is. Despite her tremendous height, she cannot dunk. Off the court, Taylor is known for her unassuming ways and sense of humor.
Early life
Lindsay Corine Taylor was born on May 20, 1981 in Poway, California, the daughter of Catherine and Bill Taylor. Taylor hails from a tall family: her father is 6 ft 11in (2.11 m) and Lindsay claims it was from him she inherited her height, and an uncle, Ron, who stands seven feet tall and is nicknamed "Tiny". Ron is an actor and has appeared in many films including Last Man Standing, Ace Ventura and Road House. She also has a younger brother and an older sister, Roz, who unlike Lindsay is just a little above average height. Her Grandmother Helen Taylor (d. September, 2006), regularly wrote articles on the internet about Lindsay during her time playing for the UCSB Gauchos. Her family later moved to Phoenix, Arizona.
Taylor was not involved in sports until she was 15 years old. She had originally planned on playing in her school's marching band when she first entered high school but her closest friends, who played basketball, convinced her to start playing the game and Taylor said she eventually found herself getting involved. She said she "picked it up naturally." Lindsay has said that if it weren't for basketball, her desires may have led her to a different career. In the first game she played in high school, she accidently scored for the opposite team because she was unsure of what she was supposed to be doing
High school and college
Taylor attended Chandler High School in Chandler, Arizona, where she helped lead her team to two regional championships and, as a senior, to the Arizona State Championship. She averaged 19.2 points, 11.0 rebounds and 3.1 blocks in her final year as a prepster. During a game in her junior year, she scored a career-best 31 points and grabbed 21 rebounds. She played for the AAU Arizona Elite where she guided the team to the 17-Gold National Championship in 1998 at the age of 17.
Taylor later became famous during her NCAA career at UC Santa Barbara, playing center for their women's team. She was (and still is) the tallest woman's basketball player in the school's history and attended the same classes as fellow WNBA players Kayte Christensen and Kristen Mann with whom she is still good friends with.
Taylor redshirted (delayed) her first year, (1999-2000). In her first season, her Freshman Year (2000-2001), Taylor capped an impressive rookie season by earning the Big West Freshman of the Year award, second team all-conference and All-Big West Tournament honors She was twice named Big West's Player of the Week, first on January 15 and again on January 29. Taylor scored 20 or more points three times, with her career high of 24 coming against Boise State on January 21, 2001 her field goal percentage in Big West Play of 65.0% was the highest percent in the conference and she later had 17 double-digit performances, including nine of her last 11 games and 13 of her final 16.
In her second season, sophomore year (2001-2002), she earned her second Big West All Conference Honors. She missed two games - vs. Northridge (Jan. 6,2002) and Fullerton (Feb. 6,2002) because of soreness in her lower back. Her third season, junior year (2002-2003) was capped by an honorable mention Associated Press All-American recognition, Big West Player of the Year honors and her second consecutive conference tournament MVP award. She also enjoyed a streak of 28-consecutive made free-throws during her 2002-2003 campaign.
During Taylor's senior year (2003-2004), her UCSB Gaucho squad had their finest year in history. They received their 8th consecutive Big West Conference Title with a swashbucking 27-7 and won the Big West Tournament in which Taylor won her third consecutive MVP award. The Gauchos upset Colorado and Houston to get to the NCAA Sweet 16 until losing to defending and eventual champion, Connceticut, which had fellow WNBA teammate, Diana Taurasi. She notched her 1,000th point as a Gaucho at Illinois on February 13, 2003, and moved her score further uo into 13th place on UCSB's career scoring list. She only needs 500 points to break the school's highest ever career scoring record, which is held by Kristi Rohr. On November 20, 2003 Lindsay scored a team-high of 12 points. Taylor was the only Gaucho player to be in double-figures and the only visiting player to make half her field goal tries and sunk four out of eight.
Later on November 25, 2003 Lindsay scored a game-high of 23 points and became UCSB's record holder in career blocked shots and the school's all-time leader in career blocked shots with 181 points. On November 28 she scored a game-high 20 points as the Gauchos won a match to 4 to 1. Lindsey scored seven of her 20 points during the 19-4 second half run and extended the then nation's second longest home winning streak to 27 straight games. Later on December 16 she led all Gauccho players with a game high 23 points, grabbed a career-high 16 rebounds and also matching her personal best of six blocked shots. On December 28 Lindsay finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds for her third consecutive double-double and 19th of her collegiate career.
Taylor has said one of her biggest developments in college was to build her strength up. Despite pulling down 7.3 rebounds per game, she counted rebounding as a weakness of hers and would continue to work hard on it to improve.
Lindsay graduated from Santa Barbara in 2004. Her collegiate career held many distinctions at the time, such as the all-time leader in points: 1,755, most blocked shots: 242, and field goal percentages: 558, in UC Santa Barbara history.
WNBA career
, Lindsay's friend and fellow Santa Barbara and Mercury player.]]
Taylor was one of the highly regarded rookies for the 2004 WNBA Draft. She was originally chosen by the Houston Comets. She was subsequently traded to Phoenix Mercury alongside the higher-regarded Diana Taurasi. She was the second round (26th pick overall) in the 2004 WNBA Draft.
Her first game was against the Seattle Storm, on May 8, 2004. Prior to the game, Lindsay was told "there was a chance" she'd see some action. She got a rousing ovation when she came off the bench for a few minutes in the first half. Her family also attended the game, and were right there to watch her get her first taste of pro competition. She attempted one field goal, which she missed. She also attempted a rebound against Chantelle Anderson. On May 10, the Mercury played against the Sacramento Monarchs. Taylor was injured later on in the match. Despite the injury she would recover enough to play against the Sacramento Monarchs on June 27 when she performed a career-high in what is considered her best game in the WNBA. 18 minutes in to the game she grabbed two rebounds and scored three points on a 3-point basket late in the game and blocked four shots in 17 minutes. The game ended 83-44, a Phoenix victory.
Taylor remained on the injured list for the rest of the season, but was expected to return later in her inaugural WNBA season. In total, she would appear in just five games and missing over twenty other matches during the 2004 season, seeing limited action in those games before being waived at the end of 2005 training camp.
Career highs
| Year | Team | Games | Mins | Offensive Rebounds |
|---|
| | | | | | | Defensive Rebounds | Total Rebounds | Assists | Blocks | Steals |
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| | | | | |
Team Botas
Taylor spent the 2005/2006 offseason in Turkey, where she averaged 16.5 points and 10.3 rebounds per game for her new team, the Botasspor Adana (or Botas as it's known for short).
On February 8,2006 Lindsay and her team won an important game against their opponent's, the Burhaniye, at home. At the beginning of the game Botas fell way behind and were at half time numbered 25 to Burhaniye's 40. Lindsay did not score in the first half, but scored she later scored 15 points in the second half. She ended up with 16 rebounds altogeather.
On February 18 Lindsay and her team lost to Ceyhan with the scores 90-70. However, later on March 12, Lindsay's team beat their rival, Mersin, 81-71 in their home town. Lindsay had a solid double during the game with 22 points and 12 rebounds.
April 1, Lindsay had 20 points and 12 rebounds as Botas won 83-59 over their opponent, the Erdemir Spor.
Short return to WNBA
On April 13, 2006, the Seattle Storm signed Taylor to a training camp contract. Noticeably her body had filled out and matured more, gaining several more pounds to her previous lean frame and she became far more physical on the court. Upon joining her new team she immediately became the team's tallest player, adding an extra three inches over then tallest team mate Lauren Jackson. Much was anticipated of Taylor and the powress she could bring to the team. Then Storm Coach Anne Donovan, whom had favourably compared Lindsay to fellow WNBA player Kara Wolters whom Donovan had personally helped tutor, was quoted as saying about her.
Lindsay spoke enthusiastically about joining her new team and what it could mean for her and improving her abilities. She expressed admiration for Lauren Jackson and said she could learn things from her. Lindsay also looked forward to the training she could expect to receive from Donovan. Lindsay spoke of her;
Despite Donovan's praise however on May 17, 2006 Taylor was quietly released by the Seattle Storm, just a little over a month after she signed with the team making her tenure one of the shortest in WNBA history. Many fans expressed disappointment over the decision. According to a WNBA article on their website she had been slowed down by tendinitis in her right ankle and toes. In all, she only played in only two preseason games, one on May 7 and the other May 12, just five days before her release, averaging 7.0 points and 3.5 rebounds on a 3-point basket late in the game. She missed an exhibition finale against the Minnesota Lynx and spent several other games on the injured list because her tendinitis in her foot.
Taylor has the distinction of being the only player on the Seattle Storm team who was as tall as head coach Anne Donovan, who is herself 6-foot 8 inches, a fact acknowledged by Donovan when the two stood eye-to-eye and she remarked about Lindsay "She is legit",
Career highs
| Year | Team | Games | Mins | Offensive Rebounds |
|---|
| | | | | | | Defensive Rebounds | Total Rebounds | Assists | Blocks | Steals |
|---|
| 2 (05/07/2006) | | | | |
After the WNBA
On May 31, 2006 shortly after her WNBA departure, Lindsay travelled to Korea for two months where she played in the Korean women's league. She played for the Shinsegae Cool Cats.
On July 5, Lindsay scraped her team firmly out of last place in the league and in to a position to make the post season play-offs. Later on July 7, Lindsay and her team won their second to last game. If they were to win the last game or either one of the two teams ahead of them lose there will be a tie in for fourth place with the playoffs at stake. But on July 9 Lindsay and the team were defeated. Lindsay cited the point differential of 20 points was too great to make up. As a result they did not make the playoffs. Afterwards Lindsay headed home for the US.
On September 17, 2006 Taylor had successful heel surgery performed on both her heels. She will then recuperate and will fly off to Montpellier, France. She then played for Lattes-Maurin Montpellier. Lindsay already knew one of the players from her time in Korea, Sandra Dijon.
Botasspor Adana
On January 25, 2007, Lindsay rejoined her previous team, the Botasspor Adana and resumed playing in Turkey.
On February 9 Lindsay and her team beat team Galatasaray in the team's own gym in Istanbul. What made this a very impressive win over their opponents is the line-up the team had. Amongst them were four WNBA players; Loree Moore, Nikki Teasley, Tangela Smith and Chantelle Anderson. Lindsay had only two points in 21 minutes, but she had nine rebounds in all.
Later on March 4, Lindsay and her team beat opponent Kristen Mann's team, Mersin, in the port town of Mersin, Turkey, with a score of 82-66. Lindsay had 10 pts. and 7 rebounds in 20 minutes. March 18, 2007, Lindsey and Botas faced off and beat team As Akyazi 123 points to 83. Lindsay had scored 22 points in twenty minutes.
April 25, 2007 Botas faced team Besiktas Cola in the semi finals of the Turkish WBL Championships. On the opposing team was Kara Braxton, another tall player (just an inch shorter than Lindsey) and a fellow WNBA player. Lindsey and Botas defeated Besiktas 72 points to 70 in the third round. After this game the score in the series was tied 2-2 in the semi finals of the Turkish WBL series. The next match to decide the winner was held on April 27. The game was tied at half time with Lindsey showing a strong first half, but in the fourth quarter the game shifted dramatically against the Botas and Besiktas defeated Lindsey and the Botas to reach the finals. The score was 89 for Besiktas with Botas totaling only 64. Lindsay scored 14 points in the game and totaled 6 rebounds.
In all she averaged 16.5 points and 10.3 rebounds per game for Botas. With all the Gaucho women defeated the team left Turkey. Lindsay travelled back home to the United States to recuperate and prepared for the next European season.
Polish Women's League
Lindsay spent the passing time recovering and resting until on September 7, 2007, Lindsay signed a contract with the Polish Women's League. She was number 20 on the team, the same as her previous team Botasspor Adana. She was by far the tallest member of the team and stood five inches taller than the nearest member Meredith Alexis who is 6ft 3. The average Height of the team was 181 cm, 6ft tall. During her stay in Poland, she shared an apartment with her teammate and friend Meredith Alexis. Her team was called 'Energa Katarzynki Torun' or 'Energa Torun' for short. Her new team then went on to win a tournament in Torun, Poland. In four games Lindsay averaged 8 points per game.
In her first game playing with Energa Torun, Lindsay faced off against Utex Row Rybnik. The game took place on October 17, 2007. Lindsay was only able to make 2 points in the game but was only on the court for 6 minutes and 41 seconds. She made no rebounds or blocked shots. Energa Torun lost the match to Utex Row Rybnik, making only 77 points. Utex Row Rybnik scored 84 points.
Later on October 24, 2007 Lindsay and her team played off against the Polish team Can-Pack Wisla. In the game Lindsay scored 13 points and made 8 rebounds as well as making 2 blocked shots. Despite the effort Lindsay put in to the game Energa Torun ultimately lost the game.
On October 31, Energa Torun faced PKM Duda. In the game Lindsay scored less points then in the previous game, scoring only 12 points, but she made a far stronger showing on the defensive and made more rebounds in the game making a total of 11 rebounds in all. She also made 1 blocked shot. Despite her efforts Lindsay was unable to prevent the opposition's strong offense and Duda went on to win the game with a total of 67 points to Energa Torun's points of only 54. Lindsay suggested her team lost due to a lack of being physical enough. She also credited the team as "out playing" them.
Lindsay's losing streak would unfortunately continue to plague her and the team in their next game on November 3 against KSSSE AZS PWSZ. Energa Torun lost the match with 62 points to 73. Lindsay failed to score double numbers. She scored 8 points and made only 7 rebounds. In contrast to her highest score of 11 points this season in the previous game, Lindsay made no blocks in this game.
Energa Torun next faced Lotos PKO BP on November 10, 2007. The match was hung close throughout the first three quarters with both teams going back and forth throughout the game. But by the fourth quarter Lotos PKO BP had turned the tables and was able score 28 points. Energa Torun's was only able to score 9 points. Lindsay scored 10 points in the game and made 5 rebounds as well as making 2 blocked shots. Lotos PKO BP went on to win the game scoring 94 points while Energa Torun was only able to score 68.
Next, Lindsay and Energa Torun faced off against Siemens AGD on November 18, 2007. Lindsay scored 7 points in the game and made 6 rebounds as well as making 4 blocked shots. Despite the effort of the team, Energa Torun narrowly lost the game with 74 points to Lotos' score of 77.
Energa Torun next faced off against faced Siemens AGD on November 22, 2007. Lindsay stepped up her game and scored 16 points and made 9 rebounds. This was made all the more impressive in comparison with the other players as she only played for a total of only 20 minutes in the game. However, Lindsay was not as defensive as previous games and only made 2 blocked shots. Energa went on to win the match with Energa's 85 points to Siemens AGD's score of 64. Unfortunately it wasn't a league game, it was a Cup qualifier.
Lindsay's scoring continued in dominating fashion. Lindsay and Energa Torun next faced off against CCC Polkowice. The game took place on November 25,2007. Lindsay scored 23 points in the game and was the largest contributor to the team's victory. She scored more points in the game then either player on both teams and scored 7 points higher then her previous season high 16 points one game before. However, Lindsay was not as defensive and only made 2 blocked shots. She also made 8 rebounds. Energa Torun went on to win the game scoring 68 points while Energa Torun only narrowly lost with 65 points. Lindsay's contribution was the major factor in helping Energa Torun win the game. The much needed needed win had effectively broken Energa Torun's losing streak and enabled them to win their first league game.
Further, on December 2, 2007, Lindsay and Energa Torun faced off against Cukierki Odra Brzeg. Lindsay had another great game and was dominating throughout, she scored an enormous 28 points. She also made 11 rebounds. She scored more points in the game then either player on both teams and scored 6 points higher then her previous season high 23 points one game before. Again, Lindsay was not as defensive and made no blocked shots in this game. Energa Torun eventually emerged the winner's, scoring 78 points. Cukierki Odra Brzeg was only able to score 63 points. As in the previous game, Lindsay was the foremost contributor in the game and played a major factor in securing Energa Torun the victory. have eagerly pointed out that Taylor's presence on the team is what is allowing Energa Torun to win.
Later she and Energa Torun next faced off against Arcus SMS Pzkosz and again she continued in dominating fashion. The game took place on December 8,2007. Aagin Lindsay scored more points in the game than either player on both teams. This time she scored an enormous thirty three points, even higher than her previous season high of twenty eight points just one game before. The second highest score of the game was made by fellow Energa Torun team mate Anna Marczewska who was the only other player beside Lindsay to make a double score, but made only eleven points, which Lindsay's easily exceeded by almost triple. Lindsay also made 13 rebounds, one steal and one pass. Defensively she made no blocks in this game. Lindsay's evaluation at the end of the game (combing the points, passes, blocks and other plays the player made during the game) was easily the highest in the game and was double that of the second highest score of 16, at 43 points. . She was fouled 10 times by the opposite team. Lindsay's dominating performance on the court and large contribution of points had all but enabled Energa Torun to win the game. They won with a score of 80 points, securing their fourth victory. Arcus SMS Pzkosz was only able to scored 45 points.
For her performance against Arcus SMS Lindsay received the title of the Most Valuable Player of round 11 of the Ford Germaz Class of the Polish Women's League. With this performance, Lindsay now ranks second in the league in round 11, averaging 19.4 per game.
Lindsay and Energa Torun next faced off against KK AZS Jelenia Gora on December 16, 2007. Coming off the heels of her victory against Arcus SMS game and her recognised contribution's toward's several of Energa Torun's victories, Lindsay was struck down with bad luck. Early in the game Lindsay was expected to pull off another career high. Only seven minutes after Lindsay was in the game she was caught elbowing a player in the face. The referee had then decided called a foul on Lindsay. She was sent off the court after playing for only seven minutes and 51 seconds. Because she was only on the court for a such a short period of time she was only able to make just 2 points and 2 rebounds and no blocks. After the game, Lindsay expressed disappointment that the referee had decided to foul her but commented that ultimately it was their decision to call and what ever they called she would agree with it. Energa Torun eventually lost the match to KK AZS Jelenia. Energa Torun maaged to secure 51 points. However KK AZS Jelenia Gora was able to score 55 points which embled them to narrowly win the game.
She had her next chance in the game against MUKS Poznan which took place on December 21, 2007. In the game Lindsay scored 29 points, putting her way ahead of all the players. Again she scored more points in the game then either player on both teams. The second highest score of the game was made by Energa Torun team mate Emilia Tlumak who only scored 15. Lindsay made 10 rebounds and defensively she made 4 blocks, hitting two for two from the three point arc, in this game. Despite the effort Lindsay put in to the game Energa Torun eventually lost the match to MUKS Poznan. Energa Torun managed to secure 66 points. However, MUKS Poznan was able to score 78 points which embled them to win the game. Because of her performance in the game she was placed back in the top 3 women in evaluation points in the League.
The second half of the Polish season resumed in early January, 2008. Energa Torun next faced off against Utex Row Rybnik. The date of the game landed on January 6,2008. Lindsay made 15 points in the game, 7 rebounds and no blocks. Energa Torun lost the match with only 54 points. Utex Row Rybnik had 60.
She next appeared in the second game of 2008, taking place on January 20. Energa Torun played off against the Polish team TS Wisla Can Pack Kraków, the second highest ranked team in the Polish league at the date of the game. Energa Torun also played off against Kraków in their own gym. Playing on Kraków was notable former WNBA player Anna DeForge, whom Lindsay had played against before. She was only able to make 14 points in the game during 34 minutes of play but she was able to make 20 rebounds. Defensively she had 2 blocks and made 2 passes. Energa Torun eventually won the match in a surprise upset over TS Wisla Can Pack Kraków with 73 ponts. Kraków made 68 points. Lindsay's evaluation at the end of the game was 28 points, higher than all her team mates and any other player in the game, placing her back up as second in the league for game evaluation category. Fellow Enega Torun player Alicja Perlinska, who had the second highest, had 21 points. Lindsay is now in the leagues Top Five in rebounds.
Lindsay and Energa Torun next faced off against INEA AZS Poznon on January 30, 2008 with Energa Torun losing the match 69 to 75 points. Lindsay was able to score 20 points and make 11 rebounds and 1 block. Energa Torun would lose again on February 10 to PKM Duda PWSZ Leszno, 67 points to 73 points, before finally securing a narrow win against KSSSE AZS PWSZ Gorzów, 66 points to 64.
Lindsay and Energa Torun faced a rematch against Lotos PKO BP, As in the previous game Energa Torun lost 65 points to 91.
The season ended in early April,2008. Lindsay finished with the highets points of any player in the league with 16.9. and her overall evaluation was the highest in the league at 21.9 points, the second highest was 18.4. She was also awarded the Center of the Year award as well as earning a place on the 1st Team, All-Imports Team and the All-Defensive Team.
Return to the WNBA
During her time in the polish women's league, Lindsay expresed her desire to return and compete in the WNBA, and on April 17, 2008 she sighed a training camp contract with the Washington Mystics of the WNBA in time for the new WNBA season. She began attening training camp for the Washington Mystics soon afterwards on April 20 at Trinity University located in Washington D.C.. She resumed her previous WNBA number: 44.
During her Training camp trials, Lindsay compeated in three pre-season games. The first game played in Tampa, Florida against the Sacramento Monarchs, ended in a victory for the Washington Mystics with a score of 90 points to 82. The second game was another Washington victory played in New York against New York Liberty enidng 58 points to 52. She enjoyed further victory against the Houston Comets with a 72 to 66 point victory.
Early on in the pre-season, Taylor was praised by the training camp Coach:
On May 14, the Mystics officially announced that Lindsay had successfully secured a place on the Washington Mystics roster and she would be spending the upcoming summer playing on the team. Taylor's selection on the team was considered unusual for a team noted for its average-sized post players and fast-paced style of play and gave the mystics a completely different look. She did not not compete in the Mystics Season opener against the Indiana Fever. Her Absence was noted in he game as it was the only loss suffered by the Mystics.
On May 21 the Mystics manager Linda Hargrove announced the team would waiver Lindsay in exchange for the higher regarded Crystal Smith, despite smith still recovereing from a foot injury at the time. The waiver came exactly a week after she was seleced to play on the team's roster. Her release coincidered with her fellow UC Santa Barbara graduate and friend Kayte Christensen waiver, who was released from the Chicago Sky. On May 28,2008 Lindsay and her Dad, Bill were special guests of the Mystics for the Washington Mystics vs Phoenix Mercury game in Phoenix, Arizona.
Polish Women's League Return
Following the debacle of the WNBA, Lindsay did not speak out on what she planned to do. In early August 2008 she announced she had signed a contract with KSSSE AZS PWSZ Gorzów Wielkopolski (AZS Gorzow) in the Polish Womens Basketball League (PLKK).
September, 2008 saw the the start of the women's polish league season beginning with Gorzow pulling off a victory against last season's second best team, Lotos PKO. Lindsay had her best game of the season on October 11 against Utex Row Rybnik with 22 points, 14 rebounds and a game high evaluation of 27 points. She was named Player Of Week #7 for her performance during this game.
The Gorzów had gone undefeated for eleven games until narrowly losing to CCC Polkowice. In the last game of 2008, Lindsay would play against her former team polish team Energa Torun resulting in a narrowly lost game. They also went undefeated in the Euro Cup until playing Dynamo Moscow, suffering a 64-93 defeat. The second half of the season reumed in January, 2009.
International career
Lindsay has played basketball abroad representing the USA in numerous countries.
She won a Silver Medal as a member of the United States 2003 Pan American Games basketball team with fellow Guacho, Kristen Mann when they played off in the Dominican Republic against the home team. She was considered the best player in the game and her finest effort in the tournament was six-point, four-rebound performance in quarterfinal victory over their hosts the Dominicans.
| Seasons | Team | Country | | 2005-2006 | Botasspor Adana
(1st time) | | | 2006 | WKBL, Shinsegae Cool Cats | | | 2006-2007 | LFB, Lattes-Maurin Montpellier | | | 2007 | Botasspor Adana
(2nd time) | | | 2007-2008 | Energa Katarzynki Torun | | | 2008-Present | KSSSE AZS PWSZ Gorzów Wielkopolski | |
Honors and Awards
Lindsay had received numerous awards over the years and has even set several records. Below are some of the awards she has won.
College honors
- Named 2003 All-America honorable mention by the Associated Press, Basketball Times and Kodak/WBCA.
- Earned 2003 Big West Conference Player of the Year honors and to the All-Big West first team.
- Selected the 2003 Big West Tournament MVP and to the Big West All-Tournament Team, averaged 16.7 ppg. and 5.7 rpg.
- Named the 2002 Big West Tournament MVP, averaged 15.0 ppg., 8.3 rpg. and 2.0 bpg.
- A three-time Big West All-Tournament Team selection.
- Named 2001 and 2002 All-Big West second team.
- Selected as the 2001 Big West Freshman of the Year.
- Named to the 2001 Big West All-Tournament Team.
- Earned six Big West Player of the Week honors during her career.
- Named conference player of the week after averaging 16.5 points and 8.5 rebounds to close the regular season at Cal State Fullerton on February 28,2001
College records
- Currently holds the UCSB all-time career record for scoring (1,767) field goal percentage (.559) and blocked shots (243).
- Set UCSB's all-time single-season blocked shot record with 69 in 2001-02.
College notes
- Averaged a team-best 16.8 ppg. and added 7.5 rpg. as a junior, while helping UC Santa Barbara to a 27-5 record, the Big West regular season and tournament titles and the NCAA Tournament second round.
- Ranked 25th among all 2002-03 Division I leaders in field goal percentage.
- Ranked 18th nationally in 2001-02 in blocked shots.
- Recorded 12 points and 13 rebounds in UCSB's 2002 NCAA Tournament.
- Finished her sophomore season as the Big West's leader in field goal percentage (550).
- Paced the 2000-01 Big West in blocked shots (1.6) and field goal percentage (650).
- Ranked third in Gaucho's history for total rebounds with 877 points.
- Earned her 24th career double-double and ninth this season in the form of 17 points coupled with a career-high-tying 16 rebounds on February 28, 2004.
- On November 25, Lindsay scored a game-high of 23 points and became UCSB's record holder in career blocked shots.
High school notes
- Attended Chandler High School (Ariz.), where she helped her school to a pair of regional titles and the 1999 state championship.
- Averaged 19.2 ppg., 11.0 rpg. and 3.1 bpg. as a senior.
- Named the 1999 Arizona Player of the Year by Gatorade.
- Earned 1999 All-America fourth team honors from Parade Magazine.
- Named 1999 all-state first team by the Arizona Republic and Arizona Dairy Council.
Other
- She was a member of the 2003 USA World Championship for Young Women Team and captured the gold medal with a 7-1 record in Sibenik, Croatia, averaged 6.4 ppg. and 2.9 rpg.
- Posted tournament bests of 16 points and eight rebounds in the USA's 95-46 victory over South Korea.
- Helped the U.S. to a 4-0 record in exhibition play against Australia and Brazil's young women national teams, averaged 3.0 ppg. in the final two contests.
- Most Valuable Player of round 11 of the Ford Germaz Class of the Polish Women's League.
Criticism and praise
Despite her promising potential as a player there has been doubt's over Taylor's ability to be an effective center. There have been concerns that Taylor's height is a hindrance (running the court, mobility), and in fact she is simply too tall to be an effective player, and with being at a taller height has made her more prone to injuries. Also some believe that Taylor's body isn't in shape to match her stature and should fill out, mature and work on it. The Washington Post criticised her and commented that she "cannot control her size" and that she often ends up "blocking her own players" in practice.
Supporters however have defended Taylor by pointing out her speed, fluid coordination and versatile mobility as being above excellent for someone of her stature and build. Others have pointed out her unlimited potential on the court, natural talent, fast learning and her passing of the ball to other team players, something almost rare for other players of her height, as contributions of her effectiveness as a player. These have all have been a source of praise for Taylor.
Another advantage Taylor possesses, as she has expressed, is because of her larger stature then other players she has what she describes "a bird's eye view of everything" on the court. Literally she can see over other players. Taylor's height has also made it difficult for other players to guard and block her and are generally unable to overpower her.
Coach Mark French.
Quotes
- Mark French, Lindsay's coach at Santa Babara.
Lindsay in other media
A music video featuring Lindsay, entitled "A Tribute to Lindsay Taylor", has appeared on the popular video-sharing website Youtube. Posted on May 20, 2007 (Lindsay's 26th birthday), it chronicles Lindsay's time as a Gaucho, her time in the WNBA, and her time on Team Botas. It was viewed more than 2,000 times in its first week of release. The music heard in the video is Linkin Park's "Somewhere I Belong".
Personal
She lists volleyball player Gabrielle Reece as her favorite athlete and is a fan of the movie Dirty Dancing. Lindsay is interested in teaching school after her basketball career and she also has expressed an interest in government and politics. She aldo majored in religious studies.
Taylor has also expressed her love of the outdoors and nature, especially when the weather is very hot. Lindsay describes herself not being good with electronics and admits to being a little behind on the technology."
She wears a size 17(US)/53(EUR) shoe (12 inches long). Her favorite color is green (the same color as her eyes) and her favorite food is baked potatoes.
See also
External links
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