After an amazing season for the Irish Superleague, Taylor Lay (201-F-82, college: NC-Wilmington) has signed with Astor Sports Management. This past season he averaged 33.5 points and 16.7 rebounds a game while shooting the ball at 52% from the field for the Shamrock Rovers Hoops who finished fourth after a tough start. After an up and down collegiate career, the 67 225 pound, small forward worked his way through the ABA to advance his career to play professional basketball overseas.
After an amazing season for the Irish Superleague, Taylor Lay (201-F-82, college: NC-Wilmington) has signed with Astor Sports Management. This past season he averaged 33.5 points and 16.7 rebounds a game while shooting the ball at 52% from the field for the Shamrock Rovers Hoops who finished fourth after a tough start. After an up and down collegiate career, the 67 225 pound, small forward worked his way through the ABA to advance his career to play professional basketball overseas. Lay, always one to be humble and realistic understands his path to a top European league is not going to be an easy road. I need to continue to work hard and take advantage of every opportunity that I get to show my skills. remarks Lay. After continuous hard work during the summer, Taylor is hoping to play for a team in one of the top leagues next year in order to continue to build his career.
Behdad Sami "I definitely would love to be a part of irish basketball"
Here, we have an interesting interview with the first iranian professional basket player to play in USA, Behdad Sami (180-G-86)
1- You started playing basketball in USA in NJCAA, how was this experience?
Yes, I earned a full ride athletic scholarship and played at Linn Benton College in Albany, Oregon and it was a great experience. It really changed me into the basketball player I am today. I started forming my killer instinct defensively and on offense.
Here, we have an interesting interview with the first iranian professional basket player to play in USA, Behdad Sami (180-G-86)
1- You started playing basketball in USA in NJCAA, how was this experience?
Yes, I earned a full ride athletic scholarship and played at Linn Benton College in Albany, Oregon and it was a great experience. It really changed me into the basketball player I am today. I started forming my killer instinct defensively and on offense. My coaches worked with me and turned me into a much stronger basketball player. I worked very hard and started almost every game. I became a huge defensive threat to the opposing teams and I loved it! Overall it was a needed experience.
2. After that in 2006 you went to Europe and joined up in a Romanian team. Did you enjoy?
I loved it! It gave me a taste of what I have been working for all my life. It was the first professional basketball situation I was put in and I handled it as best as I could. It turned out great and it transformed my game even more. I came back to the states and was a much stronger player in everyway.
3. When you finished your European's season, you traveled again and came back to USA to play in ABA. Is it strange for an Iranian player to be the first professional basketball player from this country to play in United States?
Its not strange at all. I love the fact that I became the first and currently am the only one. I take a lot of pride in that. I want to be a role model and am very proud to be an Iranian-American and to play professional basketball in the USA. It has always been my goal since I first started playing basketball, that I would become the first Iranian in the USA to play pro ball and I am very happy that I accomplished my first goal. My next goal is to be the first and only Iranian in the NBA!
4. Is it funny or fun to play in ABA?
I had a lot of fun playing in the ABA. Anytime you are blessed with you dream job, you are going to have fun. I got to travel to a lot of states, see a lot of places, meet a lot of people and it was a wonderful experience. Playing for the Georgia Gwizzlies was great. I really liked my teammates and wish I could have stayed their longer, but I signed to play overseas early in the season and left for Turkey.
5. What do you think about Irish basketball? Why do you want to play here? What would be your better qualities? Which aspects do you think that must improve to?
I think that Irish basketball is a very competitive league and I definitely would love to be a part of it. Outside of basketball, I would love to experience the culture, the people, and see the country. That's the best part of this job. Its such a blessing to be able to have your dream job and see and experience different countries and cultures. I want to also play there because I know I can make an impact in Irish basketball. My qualities I like to believe are limitless. The more and harder I train, the better my qualities get. I like to think I can do it all whether its shooting, passing, dribbling, being a team leader, dunking, but I would have to pick my defense as my best quality.
