Brandon Taylor thinks he can help the Sixers.
The Penn State graduate worked out for the Sixers at PCOM on Tuesday morning — his only NBA pre-draft workout — and told reporters that he believes he could make an impact in Philadelphia with his ability to shoot the ball.
Taylor, 21, took on a bigger scoring role during his senior season at Penn State, averaging 16.3 points per game in 32 games to lead the way for the Nittany Lions. Taylor recorded seven 20-point games, while shooting 43 percent from the field and 36 percent from three-point range.
Taylor was a team leader, especially as a senior, and in turn took on responsibility in other areas of the game than just scoring. Now, he can focus his game a little bit more on one aspect.
“At a level like this, I wouldn’t be needed to do as much as I did at Penn State," Taylor said. "I would be more of a shooter, so that’s something that I’ve been focusing on, just becoming a more consistent shooter and working on my range."
Taylor credits his coaching staff at Penn State for their role in preparing him to play professionally.
“They helped me get ready in all points of the game mentally and physically,” Taylor said. “Being mentally tough to come in here and get up and down, even though I might be tired, or hurting, or sore, just keeping on fighting through it and pushing through it.”
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As a forward, Taylor isn’t exactly a great fit for the Sixers, but if he can shoot with consistency, the Sixers could take a flyer on him as an undrafted free agent and get an extended look at him in summer league action.
The 6-foot-6, 225-pound Taylor looked solid in his workout with the Sixers, showing that he can play both inside and outside. He didn’t turn any heads with his shot during 2-on-2 and 3-on-3 scrimmages, but he looked good from beyond the arc during individual drills and handled the ball well.
But the biggest thing that Taylor, a native of Tabernacle, New Jersey, will take away from his only pre-draft workout was simply the chance to be there.
“I’m just grateful for this opportunity, to be able to work out for any team," he said. "I appreciate it and I’m ready for whatever is next in my career."
In regards to the draft on Thursday and the rest of the summer, Taylor will take both in stride, not getting too high or too low.
“I don’t have any expectations. I’m just going with it and I’m not setting the bar too high for disappointment,” Taylor said. “Whatever I get is perfect with me.”
