July 19, 2012; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Jordan Taylor (10) guards Portland Trail Blazers guard Dee Bost (3) in the second half of the game at the Cox Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE

Jordan Taylor will play pro basketball this fall, just not in the NBA. After receiving training camp invites from several NBA teams but no offers of guaranteed money, Taylor has elected to sign with Virtus Rome of the Italian League – the same team Brandon Jennings played with before moving on  to the Bucks.

Will time in Europe help Taylor find his way onto an NBA roster like it did for Jennings? Taylor certainly hopes so. “I don’t know what the odds were as far as making [an NBA] team,” Taylor said in explaining his decision. “I don’t know if I would have been another body in training camp or whatever. I just figured I’d go play [in Europe] and hopefully try and come back.”

Taylor said he chose Rome because it would not “be a huge cultural adjustment right away.” Cause Rome is so much like Madison? They do have good cheese in Italy. Not sure what their beer is like.

One thing that’s definitely different in Italy? The style of basketball. In Wisconsin, Taylor experienced Bo Ryan’s swing offense which is all about draining clock. In the Italian League they play an up-tempo style. “Up-tempo” and “Jordan Taylor” are not things that normally go together. But if Taylor can successfully adjust to that new, faster style of play? Maybe that will impress an NBA team enough for them to give Jordan a look.

Right now Taylor’s NBA prospects appear non-existent. Two years ago he was considered a potential second-round draft pick but a somewhat underwhelming 2011-12 campaign killed his stock. A lukewarm performance in the Summer League didn’t help matters much. He’ll get a chance to expand his game in Rome. And I’ve heard the women aren’t bad there.

Mar 21, 2012; Boston, MA, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Jordan Taylor during practice the day before the semifinals of the east region of the 2012 NCAA men

Jordan Taylor has been on the winning side of a lot of basketball games over the past four years, and that only continued in Las Vegas Friday when he made his debut with the Atlanta Hawks’ summer league squad against the Washington Wizards. Taylor’s Hawks team beat the Wizards 102-82, and Taylor made a significant contribution. The former Wisconsin star came off the bench to play 17 minutes, scoring 7 points on 3-of-5 shooting with 1 steal and 1 assist. The negatives for Taylor: 3 fouls and 0-of-2 from beyond the arc.

For what it’s worth, Taylor was the Hawks’ top bench contributor in minutes and second in points behind Frank Hassell. He’ll have four more chances to impress coaches in Vegas before the summer league schedule winds up. The next game is against San Antonio Sunday night at 7 CT.

Mar 22, 2012; Boston, MA, USA; Syracuse Orange guard Scoop Jardine (right) defends against Wisconsin Badgers guard Jordan Taylor in the first half of the east region of the 2012 NCAA men

Jordan Taylor isn’t the only former Badger star who will be looking to shine in the NBA Summer League this year. In all, 4 ex-Wisconsin players will be competing in the league in hopes of securing a spot on an NBA roster come next year. UWBadgers.com has the rundown on who the four guys are and where they’ll be playing.

I won’t keep you in suspense any longer. Besides Jordan Taylor, who will be suiting up for the Atlanta Hawks’ affiliate, there’s also Brian Butch (Bucks), Marcus Landry (Suns) and Kammron Taylor (Timberwolves). Maybe one of them will catch on like Greg Stiemsma did with Boston last year, and get a nice ride into the playoffs.

For those of you lucky enough to have NBA TV on your cable system, you’ll be able to catch all the summer league fun. So if you’re longing for a little Wisconsin Badger hoop action in the middle of summer? Well, it’s not exactly the same – not too many NBA teams running Bo’s swing offense – but at least you’ll get to see Brian Butch again. Never get enough of the Big Polar Bear.