Returning for its second edition, the Pangos All-American Festival featured an invite-only collection of 40 top players representing four regional All-American teams. Over two days, there was no shortage of talent as the four squads competed in thrilling contests at the Amplus Academy - Durango Campus in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Pro Insight covered the event and caught up with Taylor Bol Bowen of Brewster Academy (NH) and Expressions Elite (MA). At 6’8 with a 7’0 wingspan, Bol Bowen has big time defensive upside due to his length and also stands out as a spot-up shooter from deep.
As part of the Pro Insight Q&A series, Bol Bowen discussed working in the gym with his trainers over the summer, the latest on his college recruitment, his goal to get stronger this fall, and more.
For the next installment of the Pro Insight Q&A series, we present 2023 prospect Taylor Bol Bowen, from Jericho, Vermont:
Pro Insight: It’s been a while since we last chatted, how was your summer with Expressions Elite?
Taylor Bol Bowen: It was a great AAU season. I learned a lot for sure, playing at the highest level. Obviously, my first season playing in EYBL and I just learned a lot. I’m thankful for Todd Quarles of Expressions Elite just teaching me so many things. I’m just looking forward to running it back next year and hopefully winning Peach Jam.
PI: What have you been working on in your game this summer?
TBB: I’m just looking to improve on all my guard skills as much as possible. I feel like nowadays in the NBA, which is where I want to make it, guard skills are probably one of the most important things, if not the most important thing. And I think just learning to shoot, pass, and dribble — they’re some of the most important things and that’s all I worked on really, all summer.
PI: Who do you study or try to model your game after?
TBB: I love watching skilled wings such as Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum. Guys that really get to their spots, pass the ball, facilitate, and are incredibly versatile. Because that’s what the NBA is looking for, I feel like at a premium for sure.
PI: Who have you been working out with in the gym and on the court? Do you have a trainer?
TBB: Definitely, I work out with B.J. Robertson from Blueprint Basketball and I work out with Corey Wright, Jr., primarily. I’ve trained with him for about two years now. He knows my game the most, the ins and outs. Taught me almost everything on my guard skills, for sure.
PI: What are your biggest interests outside of basketball?
TBB: Just hanging out with my friends and hanging out with my family. I don’t really get a lot of time obviously hanging out with my friends and family being away at boarding school and traveling so much during AAU. So it’s nice when I get to go home and just spend time with my family.
PI: If you were given $1 million, what would be your first purchase?
TBB: (Laughs) That’s tough, I’ve never really thought about that before. Probably a car or a house really, something for my mom. I don’t really think about it too much, I just focus on getting better, really.
PI: If you were stuck forever on a deserted island and had all the food, water, and shelter you needed — what three personal items would you bring?
TBB: I’m bringing my friends, video games, a ball and a full-size court and we’re playing. Who said I couldn’t bring the hoop.
PI: You have one hashtag to describe yourself. What is it?
TBB: #limitless. I never thought I could have a limit on myself. I always said I could just achieve new things and take my game to new levels.
PI: What’s your recruitment update?
TBB: The schools that are reaching out to me the most are UConn, Arkansas, Kentucky, Kansas, and a little bit of Columbia. I’m just thankful to everybody that is reaching out. It’s still very early in the process. My recruitment is 100% open and I just look forward to just going through the process and just learning and finding a school that fits me the best.
PI: There’s a lot more post-grad options available with G-League Ignite, OTE, and NBL, among others. Have you done much research into those opportunities?
TBB: That’s not something I have considered. I go to Brewster Academy. That’s a great education and also learning under one of the great coaches in Coach [Jason] Smith. I just plan on finishing my high school career there and just seeing where it takes me. Just taking it one step at a time and really just trying to be a kid and finishing my high school career.
PI: What are your goals heading into the fall?
TBB: This fall, I’m really just trying to add weight at Brewster and at the same time just get better. That’s my only goal, it's just getting better. I think everything just comes with getting better. If I think of how many times where I was worse or like how I progressed, everything came with just work and getting better.
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