• Air Force guard Ethan Taylor participated in a pre-draft workout with the Utah Jazz.
• Taylor averaged 13.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and shot 38.4% from three-point range in his senior year.
• The Utah Jazz are evaluating prospects like Taylor for their second-round picks (43rd and 53rd) in the June 25th NBA Draft.

The draft winds are swirling in Salt Lake City, and the Utah Jazz are leaving no stone unturned in their quest for new talent. This week, Air Force guard Ethan Taylor brought his impressive collegiate resume to Zions Bank Basketball Campus for a pre-draft workout, giving the Jazz brass an up-close look at a potential second-round diamond ahead of the June 25th NBA Draft.

Averaging 13.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and shooting 38.4% from three – Ethan Taylor's senior year stats scream 'intriguing 3&D prospect.'

Scouting the Skies: Who is Ethan Taylor?

Ethan Taylor, a 6-foot-5 guard, isn't just another name on the workout list. After four seasons with the Air Force Falcons, he capped off his collegiate career with a stellar senior year. We're talking 13.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and a pesky 1.6 steals per game. While his overall field goal percentage sat at 38.6%, his 38.4% clip from beyond the arc on decent volume is what really catches the eye for a team like the Jazz, always hungry for shooting. This workout, held on Tuesday, signifies the Jazz's due diligence in exploring all avenues for talent.

Draft Capital and the Search for Value

The Jazz are in a fascinating position heading into the June 25th draft. Holding picks #5 and #21 in the first round gives them a shot at significant impact talent. But don't sleep on those second-rounders! With the 43rd and 53rd picks, finding players like Taylor – who might be overlooked by some but possess specific, translatable skills – becomes crucial. These later picks are where smart teams build depth and often unearth contributors who outperform their draft slot. Taylor's profile as a potential 3&D wing fits a clear need and could be a target for one of those later selections.

What Could Taylor Bring to the Jazz?

So, what's the appeal of Taylor specifically for Utah? In today's NBA, you can never have enough players who can reliably hit the three-ball and defend multiple positions. Taylor's numbers suggest he has the foundation for both. His steal rate indicates good defensive instincts, and his height at 6-foot-5 provides versatility. While a jump from the Mountain West to the NBA is significant, his shooting prowess and defensive activity make him exactly the kind of prospect teams love to take a flyer on in the second round. He could be a valuable piece for the future, providing depth and a specific skillset that complements the Jazz's core.

The workout with Ethan Taylor is just one piece of the complex pre-draft puzzle the Jazz are meticulously assembling. With less than three weeks until draft night on June 25th, expect more names to filter through Salt Lake City as the front office looks to maximize their draft haul. Stay tuned, Jazz fans, the future is being scouted right now!