Has it been mentioned that Choctaw is a big, physical team with depth? Look no further than the senior rounding into form as evident of just how deep the Yellowjackets are. The physical prospect has shed the bulky knee brace that he was wearing just a couple weeks ago, and he punished the Spartans inside. While also looking more mobile as a defender that gives Choctaw even more size and versatility to smoother teams.

Another forward prospect that has a lot of the same attributes as Wilson was Choctaw 2024 forward Isaiah Taylor Isaiah Taylor 6'5" | SF Choctaw | 2024 State OK throughout the weekend. Taylor was a menace in the paint for Rogue ‘ last=”] and when he and Wilson were on the floor at the same time, opponents had some serious problems near the basket. But Taylor was as close to automatic as it gets on the offensive end of the floor when he got in the paint. Taylor plays like a bull on the offensive end of the floor but he’s also in control and doesn’t just lose the ball like so many other prospects that are similar to him. Taylor looks like a football player playing basketball but Taylor had a really good junior season and he’s continued that momentum into the offseason. Taylor fits right in to what Rogue ‘ last=”] wants to do and should have a lot of success this offseason. He’s a player that can have an impact on the game without the ball and is lights out on the defensive end of the floor.

Isaiah Taylor Isaiah Taylor 6'5" | SF Choctaw | 2024 State OK is  a fierce, athletic wing that plays with passion and a high motor. Taylor is not a finesse player but fundamentally sound, and explosive when making his moves and getting downhill making him hard to stop in transition and in the half-court when he’s attacking the rim. Isaiah is still not to be left alone when shooting behind the arc but will rather look for opportunities to get inside and finish through contact and above the rim. Taylor has been a two-way catalyst for Choctaw this season wreaking havoc on the defensive end with his anticipation in the passing lanes and his timing when denying shots at the rim. Taylors passion and hunger makes him a prime candidate to have an amazing summer before going into his senior year and you don’t want to miss it!

Choctaw standout Isaiah Taylor Isaiah Taylor 6'5" | SF Choctaw | 2024 State OK is another example of the “freaky athlete” and it’s hard not to start right there with the athleticism and leaping ability that Taylor has. He’s put together some really strong plays on offense but his rim protecting on defense is what has us really intrigued moving forward. He also showed several times this season while we were in attendance that he can shoot the ball and step out and become more of a scoring threat, even though that shooting isn’t exactly necessary on a backcourt-heavy Choctaw team. We’re looking forward to see more of him this offseason.

With Choctaw missing Will Smith Will Smith 6'4" | PF Choctaw | 2024 State OK on Thursday, the Yellowjackets looked to Isaiah Taylor Isaiah Taylor 6'5" | SF Choctaw | 2024 State OK to be their big man and rim protector in the loss to Union. Taylor did a good job throughout the evening with 15 points. Taylor is such an interesting prospect to watch moving forward and he showed why on Thursday. On first look, Taylor appears to be a really strong athlete that happens to play basketball. But as we saw early on in the game, Taylor can step out and knock down some jumpers. Combining the shooting with that raw athleticism and strength that you simply can’t coach, Taylor is just scratching the surface on what he can be.

In that same tournament victory, fellow junior Isaiah Taylor Isaiah Taylor 6'5" | SF Choctaw | 2024 State OK would walk away with tournament MVP honors. And when it comes to the Yellowjackets so far this season, Taylor has been arguably the most improved player from last season to this year. Granted, it’s early, but coming into this year, we felt like we knew what Taylor was bringing to the table but he’s exceeding those early expectations. We knew that Taylor was going to come in this season and play strong defense and be one of the better athletes on the floor with his frame. But the thing that has jumped off the page early on this season is his ability to score and do it at a very efficient level on the offensive side of the floor.