The road wasn’t an easy one. From finishing his high school career with 0 Division 1 offers to being sought after coaches from the likes of Bill Self and Bob Huggins in a matter of 500 days. We talk to Collin County’s Taz Sherman, one of the most electric players in Junior College Basketball about the path and recruitment.
“You got to love the process. My teammates in high school went through it and they told me it’s my turn to go through it. It’s great to see how my work has paid off honestly.”
Sherman talks about where he’s improved since his time in Collin County.
“I feel like my time at Collin I’ve improved on my ball-handling and vision. I know I’m known for my scoring but one aspect I feel is overlooked is my ability to make passes.”
Taz breaks down what motivates him once he steps on the court.
“I definitely play with a chip on my shoulder. I know when I step on the floor, defenses will be ready to stop me and Another thing is I wasn’t recruited by many schools. That motivates me everyday; practices, games I want to show people that they missed on me coming out of high school. That along with playing for my mom. I want to one day buy her a house and take care of her for all the things she has done for me.”
Offers from West Virginia, Texas Tech, Utah, SMU, Oklahoma State to go along with interest from Memphis, Kansas, NC State, Texas A&M, Purdue and a slew of others.
Recruitment
SMU
“SMU for sure has pursued me the most. (Assistant) Coach Shawn Forest has been to a lot of my games. That’s my guy and they have shown me where I can be a fit to their program.”
West Virginia
“I have a good relationship with (Head) Coach Bob Huggins. Our conversations go real well, we talk on the phone every now and then and he has told me I’m a top priority for them. He’s a Hall of Famer and I was nervous eat first because he’s the first one I’ve ever talked to.“
Texas Tech
“I talk to (Assistant) Coach Brian Burg like every other day and he’s cool. We talk about basketball, school, life and we have a good relationship. I talked to Head Coach Chris Beard once and I see myself as a fit in their motion offense. Their offense will give me space to operate on the wing and top of the key to create a good look.”
Utah
“I talk to the staff at Utah basically every day. I can see myself there. West Coast, play in the PAC 12 were its guard heavy and they run a similar offense to the one here at Collin. Baseline screens, ball screens as I do a good job attacking coming off screens.”
Side Note: With leading scorer Sederick Barefield graduating, staff would expect Taz to come in right away and play.
Oklahoma State
“I mainly talk to (Head) Coach Mike Boynton. We talk often, and he often comes to my practices and games. He offered me after one of the first games he saw me play. But even outside of basketball, Coach is just a really good person to chop it up with.”
Kansas
“I talk to (Head) Coach Bill Self a couple times. He came down to see me as well and he’s a really cool guy. I also talk to Assistant Coach Norm Roberts about twice a week. We just follow up on how each of our games went.”
There are three factors in Sherman determining his next destination.
“As you know I’ll have two years left to play after this year and I want to go somewhere where I’ll have the chance to play. I know I would have to work to gain a starting spot but getting minutes, making the NCAA Tournament (Which is a dream of Taz) and getting the opportunity to play in the NBA are the major factors.”
Sherman is averaging a whopping 26ppg this season and at one point was averaging 30ppg in conference. A dynamic, fearless scoring guard that creates 1on1 offense. Taz will definitely be of help for any program he decides to go to.
