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Texas guard Taylor hires agent, will remain in NBA Draft

Isaiah Taylor, Jacob Lawson

Texas guard Isaiah Taylor (1) drives around Appalachian State forward Jacob Lawson (34) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

AP

Texas became considerably less experienced at the point guard position Thursday, as junior Isaiah Taylor announced that he has decided to hire an agent and remain in the 2016 NBA Draft pool. This past season Taylor averaged 15.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game in his lone season playing for head coach Shaka Smart.

The Longhorns also lost senior Javan Felix from their perimeter rotation, but there is some young talent at Smart’s disposal as he looks to build on this season’s trip to the NCAA tournament.

Kendal Yancy will be a senior next season, with Kerwin Roach, Tevin Mack and Eric Davis Jr. all being sophomore. And in addition to that quartet of returnees the Longhorns add freshmen Andrew Jones and Jacob Young. Texas will have to account for the experience lost due to Taylor’s departure, but the cupboard isn’t bare either.

Taylor put together his best season under Smart, with his averages increasing as did his percentages from the field (42.0 percent) and from three (31.1 percent). DraftExpress.com has Taylor ranked 13th amongst college juniors, and he was projected to be a second round pick in next year’s draft.