LAS VEGAS – Air Force graduate Ethan Taylor, like any athlete, just wanted a chance.
The Los Angeles Lakers obliged.
On Friday, Taylor completed his NBA Summer League run with the Lakers, nailing five 3-pointers en route to 15 points against the Nuggets.
“That’s all you want is to be seen and get an opportunity to play,” Taylor said. “I’m glad I’ve been able to make it this far and have this chance.
“I think I’ve left everything on the table. That’s all I can ask for. Leaving no stones unturned, that’s the mentality I’ve had through this whole process. Overall, I just think I’ve left everything out there.”
In a few weeks, there’s a good chance Taylor will report for training at Peterson Air Force base near Colorado Springs as a Space Force Officer. But for the past two weeks he’s been suiting up in a Lakers uniform as a teammate to players like Bronny James and Colorado native Dalton Knecht. On Thursday he played in the NBA 2K Classic at the Thomas & Mack Center against the Celtics and grabbed three steals.
He had played the video game NBA 2K, and there he was living it out in real life.
“It’s an unreal experience. It’s what you dream about,” Taylor said.
After leaving Air Force in the program’s top three all-time in starts, 3-pointers and assists and 10th in scoring, Taylor also sees this as a realistic opportunity to extend his career. A contract following the summer session could result in reserve status from the military (he said he’s currently playing while using the 60 days of leave time afforded to Air Force graduates).
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“One last game, then the waiting game,” Taylor said prior to his summer league finale against the Nuggets.
He made an impression. In his first game, during the California Classic, he hit a pair of 3-pointers. In his five games he registered single-game highs of five assists, three assists, three steals and 15 points.
“One thing about him is his physicality and his defense,” said Lindsey Harding, who served as the Lakers’ coach during the summer. “That’s something, the type of player he is he likes to push up full court. Pressured the ball, was very disruptive for us.”
And beyond that, Harding said the team enjoyed having the commissioned officer on the team.
“Great guy, whether he plays or doesn’t play he’s a great teammate,” Harding said. “We always make Air Force jokes with him, ask him where Area 51 is and if it really does exist or not. He’s a great guy and it’s cool to have someone like that with a completely different background and experience than any of us have had.”
The Lakers reached out to Taylor immediately after the draft and invited him to play on the summer team.
He doesn’t know what will come next, but he knows he’s done all he can to help his cause.
“I’m just focused on getting a contract,” Taylor said. “I really don’t have any expectations because I didn’t think this far ahead, to be honest with you. Just trying to get whatever God gives me.”