Taylen Ashley: Prospect Interview
Sioux Falls, SD – He is coming off a State Championship last season in basketball with Sioux Falls Roosevelt. However, this year Ashley is at the new high school in Sioux Falls because of a shift in school boundaries. Taylen…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingSioux Falls, SD – He is coming off a State Championship last season in basketball with Sioux Falls Roosevelt. However, this year Ashley is at the new high school in Sioux Falls because of a shift in school boundaries. Taylen is now attending the brand new Sioux Falls Jefferson. Ashley is not just a standout basketball player, he is an all-star football player as well. Ashley is only a junior and he has a very bright future in both football and basketball. I can not wait to watch him hoop this winter!
Football Accolades this Season At Jefferson
- 11AAA 1st Team All-State
- 11AAA All-Metro Conference
- Argus Leader Elite 45
- Team Offensive Skill Player of The Year
- Scholar-Athlete 4.0 GPA
Basketball Accolades at Roosevelt
- Varsity Letter Winner (freshman & sophomore)
- Starting PG for AA State Champions
Taylen Ashley Taylen Ashley 5'11" | PG Sf Roosevelt | 2023 State SD (2023) |6-0 PG| Sioux Falls Jefferson/SD Attack
Sophomore stats: 9.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.9 apg, 2.3 spg
Jefferson Head Coach Tim Rick comments on Taylen Ashley Taylen Ashley 5'11" | PG Sf Roosevelt | 2023 State SD
This year Taylen will be one of our leaders. He has the most varsity experience on our team. He brings a very high basketball IQ, and is another coach on the floor. He is also a great teammate and an outstanding student-athlete.
Lee Taylor from SD Attack comments on Taylen Ashley Taylen Ashley 5'11" | PG Sf Roosevelt | 2023 State SD
He is very talented and very skilled in all facets. What separates him from others is the intangibles and especially his leadership qualities. He not only leads by example but also vocally and he earns his teammate’s respect. Very rare quality you see in players with great leadership and great skill set.
Being a brand new school they’ll have their challenges as they step into new roles. Between him and Kaden Year Kaden Year 6'2" | SF O'gorman | 2023 State SD ….
A lot of their team success will be on their ability to lead through the ups and downs as juniors.
Full Interview
PHD: What is your best basketball memory up to this point in your career?
Taylen Ashley Taylen Ashley 5'11" | PG Sf Roosevelt | 2023 State SD : Winning State Championship my Sophomore year at Roosevelt. Amazing coaches & players I got to make the memory with. It will last a lifetime.
PHD: Can you talk about how the football season went for you this fall?
Taylen Ashley Taylen Ashley 5'11" | PG Sf Roosevelt | 2023 State SD : It was a blast. We had ups and downs as a first-year program, but I am very proud of how we battled and competed. We basically were missing a Sr. class, so our numbers were very low with 2 Seniors. Many of us had to play two ways and we had some important players that we lost due to injuries mid-season, but we were still very competitive all year long. Next year looks very bright for us as we will return all 22 starters.
PHD: Can you talk about how the transition from Roosevelt to Jefferson has gone so far?
Taylen Ashley Taylen Ashley 5'11" | PG Sf Roosevelt | 2023 State SD : I was so lucky to be at RHS for my Freshman & Sophomore years. I had amazing coaches, teammates, teachers, and made great friends. Leaving all that wasn’t easy at all, but I have great memories to carry with me. My home is in the new Jefferson boundaries; many of my friends/teammates that I have played sports with since elementary school were in the boundary also so that has made the transition go smoothly. It is exciting to be the 1st at a new school, to be the first to start new cultures, traditions, and activities. The coaches/teacher at Jefferson have been amazing and I am just embracing being a Cavalier and enjoying each moment.
PHD: Obviously, you are talented in both football and basketball. Have you thought about what sport you would like to play at the next level?
Taylen Ashley Taylen Ashley 5'11" | PG Sf Roosevelt | 2023 State SD : That is a question that I get asked a lot, and that I ask myself a lot. I love both sports, and whatever season it is if you asked me my favorite, I would say that sport. I honestly don’t know yet, so I just keep working on both and enjoy playing both. My parents, coaches, and schools that are showing interest in me in both sports keep telling me to just keep working hard, it will all work itself out. So, right now I am open to either one.
PHD: What are your strengths on the basketball court?
Taylen Ashley Taylen Ashley 5'11" | PG Sf Roosevelt | 2023 State SD : I am a “team-first” player, getting an assist is as important to me as scoring. I love seeing others succeed. I also feel that I see the court very well and understand the game itself. I always give 110% because that’s what I expect of myself and that’s what my teammates and coaches expect of me.
PHD: What are your individual goals for basketball this year?
Taylen Ashley Taylen Ashley 5'11" | PG Sf Roosevelt | 2023 State SD : To be a leader with my actions/work ethic on and off the court. To be aggressive on both sides of the ball, offense, and defense. Work on being a more consistent shooter, rebounder, and more aggressive on defense. Also, my role is to help my teammates to improve their games.
PHD: Who is the best team in Sioux Falls? Why?
Taylen Ashley Taylen Ashley 5'11" | PG Sf Roosevelt | 2023 State SD : That is a great question and not sure I have a solid answer. I really think it will be wide open this year. There were a lot of talented seniors that graduated last year so all the Sioux Falls teams will be adjusting to new players and finding the right chemistry in their team. If I had to pick, I would say Roosevelt will be tough with as many seniors they have and how many years those guys have played together for many years. Sioux Falls Washington and Lincoln also have very great players along with OG. Aberdeen lost 1 player and they were very good last year. I think this year is open to anyone.
PHD: What are your team goals for this season?
Taylen Ashley Taylen Ashley 5'11" | PG Sf Roosevelt | 2023 State SD : As a new team, new program, it may take us a minute to find our identity, but I know we will be working hard and together. As a team, our goals are just that, to be a team and do everything together to push each other and stick together, play team ball and work to be playing our best at the end of the season. Stats do not matter, what does matter is going 1-0 every week or 2-0 if we have a doubleheader. I know my teammate and I will be right in there battling every night as we are a super competitive group.
PHD: What is your “go-to” meal before a big game?
Taylen Ashley Taylen Ashley 5'11" | PG Sf Roosevelt | 2023 State SD : Usually, pasta or a good sub.
PHD: What type of music/who do you listen to before basketball games?
Taylen Ashley Taylen Ashley 5'11" | PG Sf Roosevelt | 2023 State SD : Depends how I am feeling. Sometimes rap sometimes Christian, sometimes a mixed of Christian & rap.
PHD: What do you do for fun outside of sports?
Taylen Ashley Taylen Ashley 5'11" | PG Sf Roosevelt | 2023 State SD : I love to game with my friends. Of course, hanging with my family when I have time. As you can imagine we are a sports family, so we are either watching or playing something and it is always competitive. My dad Alvin and sister Shaunteva were both All American’s, my dad in football and my sister was in basketball at Augustana. She is the 1st Girl’s basketball coach at Jefferson.
PHD: Do you have a hero or any role models that you look up to? If so, who and why?
Taylen Ashley Taylen Ashley 5'11" | PG Sf Roosevelt | 2023 State SD : Steph Curry. I know he is a common role model because of how he plays shooting the basketball, but I love what he does off the court as a Christian and how he carries himself. He is a class act.