If there is one player in the transfer portal that Kentucky coach Mark Pope needs to give a call, it’s Andrew Taylor from Corbin, Kentucky.
Taylor played four years at Marshall where he put up some pretty impressive numbers. The 6’3 combo guard averaged 20.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists during the 2022-23 season. His best performance was 33 points, 10 rebounds and six assists against Coastal Carolina.

Taylor was named to the 2022-23 First-Team All-Sun Belt. He recorded 14 games of 20 or more points, third most in the Sun Belt with 253 makes from the field, third in the SBC and 10th most in NCAA, for 645 points, second most in SBC and 25th most in the nation.

Taylor entered the portal last season and landed at Mississippi State, but said he did have some interest from Kentucky.

“I planned on visiting Kentucky, but I found a situation that made sense before-hand” Taylor said. “It was good to hear from them being an in-state kid. I was grateful for every phone call.”

Taylor is currently undecided and says he is looking for a good fit. His plan is to decide sooner rather than later. Last year, He signed in May. This year, he plans to sign much sooner.

Taylor feels that Pope will turn things around and he thinks John Calipari overlooked some Kentucky kids.

“I think a fresh coach with the success he has had will turn things around,” he said. “Cal did not recruit many Kentucky kids directly. Kentucky players are slept on as far as recruiting. It’s starting to show.”

The one thing we have learned over the last several years is that it takes experience to win championships and that is something Taylor brings to the table.

“At my age, I have been around the block with hoops, he told Wildcat Sports Talk. “I have learned from the best offensive coach in the world and the best defensive coach. My goal was to learn, grow, and get better every day. I also know my game makes those around me better, naturally.”

Taylor is waiting on the phone call from Pope and he knows how special it would be to wear the Kentucky jersey, especially being from the bluegrass state.

“It would mean a lot being from Kentucky and trying to put Corbin on the map for basketball,” Taylor said.

Taylor feels the more coverage kids from the mountains of Kentucky get, the better chance they have at being recruiting by Kentucky.

“I love to see it, he said. “Before me, it was a big deal to make it D1 for basketball around the 13th region. I think there have been players good enough, but there are a lot of players who do not get the same exposure from the mountains. As the media starts to cover more and more of our mountain hoopers, I believe the stage will continue to grow. Shoutout to Reed Sheppard and Trent Noah. Somebody has gotta play for Kentucky, it might as well be us fellas.”

For Taylor, for the program, for the new coach and for the heart of Big Blue Nation, let’s hope that Pope gives Taylor a call.