CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Charlotte Bobcats have taken Vanderbilt small forward Jeff Taylor with the 31st overall pick in the NBA draft.
The Bobcats followed up their first-round pick of Kentucky small forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist on Thursday night by selecting Taylor, another player who is considered a good scorer from the wing. The 6-foot-7, 225-pound Taylor averaged 16.1 points, second-best in the SEC and chipped in with 5.6 rebounds per game last season.
He worked hard in the offseason to improve his 3-point stroke and it certainly paid off. Taylor connected on more 3-pointers as a senior (66) than he did his first three seasons (49). With opponents forced to respect his perimeter game, Taylor became more dangerous when driving the lane.
The Bobcats traded away their starting small forward Corey Maggette Monday.
