Idaho’s Mike Taylor Becomes First D-League Player Drafted By An NBA Team

NEW YORK, June 26, 2008 – Idaho Stampede guard Mike Taylor was selected with the 55th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Portland Trailblazers becoming the first player from the NBA Development League to be drafted by an NBA team. A member of the 2008 NBA D-League Champion Stampede, Taylor was then traded to the Los Angeles Clippers for a future second round draft pick.

Mike Taylor was selected 55th overall in the 2008 NBA Draft. Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE/Getty Images

“Everyone at the NBA D-League joins me in congratulating Mike on his history-making achievement,” said Dan Reed, NBA D-League President. “Mike is a shining example of the NBA D-League’s core mission – to develop top prospects into NBA players.”

In 39 games for the Stampede this past season, Taylor averaged 14.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists primarily as the team’s sixth man, scoring 20 or more points on 11 occasions, including during the deciding Game 3 of the NBA D-League Finals presented by Delta. During that game, Taylor connected on four three-pointers in a three-minute span in the fourth quarter to solidify the Stampede’s first NBA D-League Championship.

“Mike brings a tremendous amount of ability and quickness to the NBA,” said Idaho Stampede head coach Bryan Gates. “He really is a spark of energy and a breath of fresh air whenever he enters a game.”

Prior to joining the Stampede, Taylor spent one season at Iowa State where he led the team in scoring and assists, averaging 16.0 points and dishing out 4.5 assists in 31 games. He also led the team in steals (1.1 steals per game) and three-point field goals made (77) while scoring 20 or more points nine times during the season. For his efforts, Taylor earned Honorable Mention All-Big 12 accolades from the Associated Press and the league’s coaches. During his freshman and sophomore years, Taylor played at Chipola, a junior college in Florida, where he averaged 9.8 points and 2.8 assists in 64 games.