The Basketball Interview with Tayler Johnson
A big reason that Minneapolis North is expected to have another big season is senior guard Tayler Johnson. Tayler is the first Minnesota player to tackle the Basketball Interview.
At your school, what is your favorite part or parts about game days in terms of the routine leading up to the game?
TJ: My favorite part of game days is the hype around school, everyone including teachers make sure all the players are focused and ready for the game but at the same time doing their work so they are eligible to play
What makes your crowd unique? What is a memorable thing that they’ve done that you’ll always remember?
TJ: Our crowd is always hype, especially against our rival Henry. We have students, alumni, parents all shouting and cheering us on and giving us motivation
Who is the toughest player you can recall playing against in Minnesota Basketball and why?
TJ: Toughest player I’ve played against has to be either Tre Jones or Jalen Suggs. They both are guards that make their teams better and can score at will.
Who is your biggest rival and what about them makes the rivalry both heated and memorable.
TJ: Our school’s biggest rival is Minneapolis Henry, this is our rival because we are the two schools in North Minneapolis, same conference and the history of the games show a lot of why we’re rivals. Me personally think because of the past two years another rival should be Hopkins.. That is who I’m focused on, just because our games are always packed when we play them and we are still chasing a win against them.
Who is your favorite player in the world and why?
TJ: My favorite player in the World is LeBron James, mainly because he is a great scorer who can do it all on both offense and defense. I also like Malik Monk and I try to reflect my game off of his.
All basketball players love gear. What brand of gear or type of gear are you partial to?
TJ: I love gear but I’d get any of the Nike, Jordan or Under Armour gear. Those are just the best to me.
What is your favorite venue to play basketball in that you’ve played in?
TJ: I loved playing at the Lake Point Sports – Indoor Pavilion in Georgia. It’s a great feeling being crowded by a lot of people that you can showcase your talents to and a nice facility.
What court that you haven’t played on would you dream of playing on?
TJ: I don’t really have a court that I dream of playing on that I haven’t already.
Explain the relationship varsity players have at your school with youth players.
TJ: The relationship we have with the youth is huge. We have a section mainly where the youth sit and when we run out, they’re there to shake our hands and give us high fives, they’re always asking questions and wanting to take pictures it’s amazing.
Best coaching advice you’ve received is what and who is it from?
TJ: The best coaching advice I’ve got was to “Always be a sponge”. I got that from my coach as a young player from Coach Pete. Which basically means to always soak in the things I learn from my coaches and people who’ve been in my position.
Who is your basketball influence?
TJ: Malik Monk by far, even though we aren’t from the same state. We are from the same part of different states and he just influences me to keep striving.