Three-time women’s basketball team MVP and senior psychology major, Lauryn Taylor, was recently named Conference Carolina’s women’s basketball player of the week for the fourth time this season.
In addition to being named conference player of the week numerous times, Taylor has also been named national player of the week.
“I believe that my confidence and my work ethic is what has helped me excel the most this season,” Taylor said. “I work out every day, get in extra shots, lift and do whatever needs to be done, so by the time games come around, it almost feels easy. I also have put more emphasis on defense and rebounding, which has allowed me to relax a little more on the offensive side of the ball.”
The women’s basketball team reclaimed control of their division with their win against UNC Pembroke on Jan. 24. With this win, The Patriots moved from second in the division to first.
“I believe our team has been able to be so successful thus far because we have a mindset of being the best version of ourselves we can be,” Taylor said. “We stopped focusing on who our opponent was for the next game and began focusing on how we could be better.”
In addition to the team’s mindset, Taylor also believes the competitive, hard-working energy her team brings also adds to their success on the court.
“It shows day in and day out in the way that we handle ourselves on the court,” Taylor said. “Since we all work so hard, collectively and individually, we have very high confidence in what it is that we do, and it’s what’s helped up go on this winning streak and sit at the top of the conference.”
Taylor started her basketball career at a young age, playing seriously for the first time in seventh grade. She believes her love of the game comes from her father, who was a professional basketball player.
“I’ve always grown up around basketball and would dribble a ball everywhere I’d go,” Taylor said. “[My dad] pushed me to begin playing since I was always seeing basketball growing up.”
This year, Taylor’s goal is to finish her senior basketball season with a conference championship win with her team.
“We’ve been close the past two years and have come up short, but I truly believe that with this team that we have now, we could really go far and be hoisting the championship trophy in March,” Taylor said.
Taylor also hopes to be named an All-American this season.
“It’s been a dream of mine to be considered an All-American, and would love for that to happen,” Taylor said.
Among her role models, the first that came to mind for Taylor was her mother.
“She is a true example of what a strong, Black woman is to me and has taught me how to navigate through the lows and highs of my life,” Taylor said.
Taylor also draws inspiration from the world-famous NBA shooting guard Kobe Bryant.
“I love his work ethic, heart, and tough mentality,” Taylor said. “I believe that those things are what made him one of the best basketball players ever and are also things that can translate to real life.”
Taylor plans to use her fifth year of college sports eligibility to play another year of basketball and get a master’s degree. Following collegiate basketball, Taylor plans to explore professional basketball opportunities overseas and build a career internationally.
“I do see coaching possibly being in my future as well,” Taylor said. “The door is open to any opportunities or blessings that may come my way.”
Taylor’s favorite memory of college basketball is when her team made it to the conference championship her sophomore year.
“I have a bunch of memories that have stuck with me throughout the last 4 seasons,” Taylor said. “My favorite would have to be when we made it to the conference championship my sophomore year in the 2021 to 2022 season. We were the underdog, seventh seed that went on a Cinderella run that led us all the way to the conference championship and even though we didn’t win, it was still one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had here.”