Huntington’s Sydney Taylor, one of the top rookies in the WNBA, comes home for a visit

It’s been an amazing rookie season for Sydney Taylor of the WNBA’s Chicago Sky.

The St. Anthony’s High School alum has gone from undrafted rookie to one of the Sky’s top scorers and someone who’s won several games with her last-minute heroics.

Taylor, who grew up in Huntington, is third on the Sky (15-25) in scoring, averaging 13.8 points per game. That includes a 13-point performance on Saturday, Aug. 29, in the Sky’s 85-66 loss to the New York Liberty at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

At least 30 of Taylor’s family and friends were at the game. Afterward, many of them, including Taylor’s parents, Don and Sheri-Lewis Taylor, joined her for a celebration at Six Harbors Brewing Company in Huntington.

Many, like family friends Denise and Darnell Ragland, who attended the game, were wearing Taylor’s No. 12 Chicago Sky jersey.

Taylor’s success hasn’t been a surprise, said Denise Ragland, who has known Taylor since she was a kid.

She called Taylor, a 5-9 guard, “a star, an absolute star.”

“She’s always been that kid who’s taken it to the next level,” Denise said.

“I felt it was going to happen because she was so good,” she added.

Taylor excelled at St. Anthony’s on a team loaded with future Division 1 college basketball players. She went on to star at the University of Massachusetts, where she averaged 16.1 points a game her senior season and was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Conference first team.

After U Mass, Taylor played a year at the University of Louisville, where she tied for second in scoring on the team at 10.8 points a game.

Taking the hard route to the WNBA

But despite her success in college, when it came time for the WNBA draft, Taylor’s name wasn’t called.

“She had to take the hard route,” Taylor’s father said. “She’s strived and I’m very proud of her.”

Taylor wound up playing several seasons overseas in Europe before the Sky signed her in April to a training camp contract. Taylor played her way onto the 12-player roster.

“It’s been a long process, but I’m here and I’m happy and I’m grateful for it,” Taylor said.

“I’ve had a great first season, learning from some of the best vets in the league that I have on my team and I’m blessed for that. I’ve been able to be a big, credible part of our team and I really appreciate that.”

Taylor’s play has gotten her media attention from outside Chicago. A USA Today story included her on a list of possible honorable mentions for the WNBA’s all-rookie team.

Taylor has averaged 17.4 points a game since being promoted to the starting rotation on June 17, according to a story on the Chicago Sky’s website. That’s despite missing five games due to a groin injury.

“We’re all just really proud of her,” the Sky’s Natasha Cloud said in the story. “In these moments, we know where the ball is going to go. We have the most confidence in her as her teammates. No matter what year it is for us, we know that the ball is going to go to Sydney Taylor.”

Taylor has had three games in which she scored 29 points or more, including a season-high 31 points against the Liberty on July 22.

Her last-second shots have won games against the Golden State Valkyries and the Las Vegas Aces.

Taylor said she’s comfortable being called to take the potential game-winning shot at the end of the game.

“That’s my bread and butter,” she said.” I like being put in those moments regardless of the outcome. I like stepping up big for my team and I know they need me to do that for us.”

Despite all her success on the court, Taylor said that what she likes most is connecting with the Sky’s young fans.

“I love when little girls and boys come up to me and ask for pictures and say they dream to be in my shoes one day,” Taylor said. “I was in that position once, so it means the world to me. Seeing them in my jersey, I love that. It keeps a smile on my face and makes me happy to do my job every day.”