Jordan Taylor Signs Contract to Play in Italy

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.