No one could ever properly accuse Taylor Buie of being a dumb jock. The 5-foot-5-inch basketball player, who goes by her last name — pronounced like “buoy” — is already a senior by credit hours and anticipates graduating with her bachelor’s in criminal justice this summer or fall, even though she is only in her second year out of high school.
In addition to being a star student athlete, she became a star academic by taking college courses full-time throughout high school, earning an associate’s degree along with her high school diploma. Next, she has her sights set on enrolling in NSU’s Master of Science in Education with a Specialization in Athletic Administration program and eventually becoming a Division I basketball coach — though she’s happy to start at a lower coaching level first. In the meantime, she views her criminal justice degree as a backup, having initially pursued the degree with dreams of joining the FBI.
Buie grew up in Washington, where she eagerly involved herself in anything and everything that could be considered competitive, until her father asked her to choose just two sports to concentrate on and stick with. She selected softball and basketball, though she eventually dropped softball.
Her dedication to the sport of Kobe Bryant, her idol, has paid off. At Emerald Ridge High School, she averaged 25.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 3.3 steals per game, eventually graduating as the school’s leader in scoring, assists and steals in three seasons. She even received national notice, ranked as the 50th best point guard by ESPN.com and selected as a Gatorade National Player of the Year nominee.
But Buie says those titles and awards don’t mean much to her. She’s most proud of being chosen to the all-state first team and helping the Sharks capture the win in last spring’s South Region Championship.
In addition to being a proud member of the Elite Eight, during her freshman year, Buie appeared in all 32 games, starting in nine. She also knocked out 10 scores in the double-digits, including four in a row in the postseason and was named to the All-South Region Tournament team.
After a short break spent relaxing at home in Washington, Buie spoke with me about her passion for the sport, her hopes for the spring season, her spooky-sounding player #13 and more.
What is it about basketball that you like so much?
The competitiveness. When I play softball, it’s slower, not as active. I like to think on the fly.
Why did you decide to attend NSU?
They were really aggressive with recruiting and I visited and it’s obviously a beautiful campus. And the coach had big plans and big goals and I liked her vision, and so I decided to go along for the ride. I also wanted to go somewhere warm, because it rains every day in Washington.
What do you like most about being a Shark?
The success of the team.
Why is Kobe Bryant your favorite player?
I just like the way he plays. I like his game. I do like that he’s cocky. I am confident, but not anywhere near Kobe’s cockiness level, just because he’s one of the greatest players of all time.
What’s your favorite professional team?
I guess the Lakers. I mean, I don’t watch the NBA every day, but if I had to pick a favorite, that would be one of them.
Why did you select number 13?
I’ve been 13 forever. It was my mom’s favorite number and it’s her birthday. I’m not superstitious. Not at all.
Are there any games, throughout your entire sport career, that you consider most memorable or you’re most proud of?
I’d say all the regional games last year, as well as the Elite Eight, of course. And then, I had a high school game that was definitely my very favorite game. We beat the no. 1 school in our conference, which we lost to two times the year before, and I hit the game-time shot. Then we won in overtime.
What do you hope your legacy will be as an NSU athlete?
That I was on one of the best teams in school history.
What do you like doing outside of basketball?
I like shopping – for girly clothes and stuff.
Has your height, which isn’t very tall for a basketball player, ever been a challenge?
The only time it’s been a challenge was during recruiting. But I don’t ever find myself at a disadvantage on the court.
What are some of your goals for the upcoming semester?
Win the national championship.
How do you think the team can do so?
Just staying consistent with what we’re doing, staying out of drama, being composed. We’ve had a lot of close games and I think we’ve come together well. If we keep doing that, then I think we can win. And playing as a true team, which I think we struggled with a bit last year and we’re doing a lot better this year.
